The secrets of osteoporosis

By KATHERINE HOBY

Osteoporosis is often regarded as "an old woman's disease" which strikes around the time of menopause.

But Osteoporosis New Zealand says more than a quarter of the country's men aged over 60 will suffer a fracture caused by the debilitating bone disease.

And the numbers are growing - particularly as we live longer.

In New Zealand, 56 per cent of women and 29 per cent of men over the age of 60 will suffer a fracture caused by osteoporosis.

More than 3000 people a year break a hip. That figure is expected to rise to 4800 as the population ages.

Around the world, more than 200 million people have the disease.

But myths remain.

It is generally labelled a woman's complaint, or old woman's disease, and many believe young people cannot get it.

And public awareness of the desirability of having a bone density scan after fractures from minor accidents is not high.

Ian Reid, professor of medicine at the Auckland School of Medicine, says we now have better ways of dealing with osteoporosis.

"Fifteen or 20 years ago, bones fell apart and the doctor shrugged his shoulders," he said. "You were pretty much done for."

Experience had shown that if osteoporosis sufferers were discovered and treated early, the number of future fractures in those people halved.

Professor Reid said it was important to have education about the disease.

"Sometimes people are rushed through the emergency department at hospital without a thought being given to a bone density check," he said.

"If people are breaking bones in very minor incidents, something is not right and that needs to be picked up and questioned."

Professor Reid said a select group needed to see a specialist if bones were breaking after relatively minor knocks.

"If minor incidents result in fractures, and especially more than once they should be seeing someone about it."

Many people tended to dismiss fractures in men, viewing them as a reflection of male lifestyle.

"But if they have their suspicions it would be a good idea to check," Professor Reid said.

People might be surprised to know that everyone had osteoporosis, though most to a lesser extent, he said.

"No one is immune to it really.


"It is a condition we all have after 40."

FACT FILE

* Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeleton. It is caused by an imbalance in the body's bone-rebuilding cycle, and results in loss of bone. It is characterised by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, which leads to weak bones that are prone to fracture.

* Bone is continuously removed and replaced much like skin cells, keeping the skeleton strong and healthy. But for women approaching and following the onset of menopause, the balance of bone removal and reforming begins to shift and more is lost than replaced.

* In New Zealand about 56 per cent of women and 29 per cent of men over the age of 60 will suffer a fracture caused by osteoporosis.

* Over time, women with osteoporosis can lose up to half their bone mass. Studies have shown that even a 10 per cent loss in bone mass at the spine can double the risk of spinal fractures, and a 10 per cent loss at the hip multiplies the risk of a hip fracture 2.5 times.

* Symptoms include unexplained back pain, height loss, recurrent fractures, or fractures resulting from minimal trauma.

* Young people can get osteoporosis, especially those who start to lose bone density early.

* Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are often confused. The former is the state of bone strength. The latter is the loss of cartilage from the end of the bone, caused by genetic links.

* The people most likely to have fractures due to osteoporosis are those who have already had them.

* Preventative measures include: eating a balanced calcium-rich diet, staying active, spending time in the sun for vitamin D, limiting alcohol intake, and not smoking.

* Osteoporosis is hard to detect. A broken bone might be the first sign. A bone-density scan will detect the disease.

* Information provided by Osteoporosis New Zealand Inc, which can be contacted on 04-499-4862.