OSTEOPOROSIS can lead to painful fractures, disability and early death, but continues to be ignored by the general public and neglected by doctors during routine physical check-ups.

New survey findings released yesterday, which was World Osteoporosis Day, by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), show that on average, 90 per cent of 13,258 adults questioned are unaware of how common osteoporotic fractures are in men.

With one in five men aged 50 or over affected by the condition, the data confirm that although common, serious and potentially life-threatening, osteoporosis remains a vastly underestimated and neglected health issue.

The multi-national survey, carried out in adults from 12 countries showed that this ignorance was universal and independent of gender or geography.

Professor John Kanis, president of the IOF, said: “The sad reality is that by not knowing their risk, men are leaving themselves vulnerable to a future of pain, disability and possibly early death. The problem is being further exacerbated by doctors not addressing the bone health of their patients during routine check-ups.”

According to the survey, men in the 50-plus age group who had had a check-up were 18 per cent less likely than women of the same age to have any form of bone health assessment.

The survey revealed that: l90 per cent were unaware of how common osteoporotic fractures are in men:

  • 73 per cent underestimated the risk of fracture in men and a further 17 per cent said they “didn’t know”
  • 71 per cent of those aged 50-plus (the population group most affected by the disease) underestimated the risk of osteoporosis in men
  • only eight per cent of men, compared to ten per cent of women, aged 50-plus correctly estimated that osteoporotic fractures affect approximately one in five men worldwide – when the results of all countries were averaged. UK had the lowest level of awareness with only three per cent answering correctly, followed by countries such as Belgium (six per cent), Jordan (six per cent), America (seven per cent) and Spain (eight per cent.

Although there are national and regional variations in the osteoporosis burden, the majority of those surveyed vastly underestimated risk.

An average of 53 per cent of male respondents aged 50-plus who had visited a doctor for a routine physical check-up said they had never had any form of bone assessment during a check-up. This included being asked about bone health; having risk factors for osteoporosis discussed; being questioned if they had previously broken a bone; or being referred for a bone mineral density test. This compares to 35 per cent of women aged 50 and over.

For more about the survey go to worldosteoporosisday.org. The Bradford Support Group of the National Society offers support for carers and people with osteoporosis or at a risk of osteoporosis.

It holds meetings every second Saturday of the month at Bolton Road Methodist Church, Bolton Road, Bradford, from 2pm to 4pm. Programmes include medical talks, excercise, talks of interest, general information and refreshments. For further information call (01274) 630146.