Around two in three women in Spain who have suffered a fragility fracture — a bone broken by a fall from standing height or less — have never been diagnosed with osteoporosis, according to a survey by the Hispanic Foundation for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases (FHOEMO).
The survey
The survey of 934 people, mostly women with an average age of around 62, found that 64.5% of women with a fragility fracture had never been told they had osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis affects around 22% of women and 6.8% of men over 50 in Spain.
A silent disease
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because it causes no symptoms until a bone breaks. Fracture pain may be mistaken for arthritis or other problems, delaying diagnosis.
Information gaps
The survey also revealed problems in communication:
- more than half of patients said their doctor had never explained how to prevent the disease;
- 72% left appointments with unanswered questions;
- after diagnosis, 45% were not told about available treatments, and 56% did not know their benefits and risks.
Many people also confuse osteoporosis with osteopenia, a milder loss of bone density that can progress to osteoporosis if not addressed.
The impact
Almost half of those who had suffered a fracture reported limitations in their daily activities. Loss of mobility can lead to insecurity and even depression, making it harder to stay active.
Women most affected
- One in four women over 50 has osteoporosis.
- Four out of five osteoporosis-related fractures occur in women.
- Each year, around 330,000 women in Spain suffer a fragility fracture.
What helps
Prevention. Weight-bearing exercise, particularly during childhood and adolescence when bone mass is built, together with a diet rich in calcium and protein, adequate vitamin D and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol.
Screening. Women with risk factors, particularly after the menopause, should ask their doctor about a bone density test before a fracture occurs.
Fracture liaison units. Spain now has 85 hospital units dedicated to coordinating care after a fragility fracture. They help most patients stay on treatment and could prevent more than 1,200 further fractures a year.
Anyone who has broken a bone in a minor fall after the age of 50 should ask their doctor whether they should be assessed for osteoporosis.
