Osteoporosis (Brittle bones)

This condition is most common in older women, who suffer from bone mass loss after the monepause, as a result of the decreased production of oestrogen, a hormone which is important for maintaining bone.

Such bone mass loss can cause an increase in bone fractures, particularly in the wrist, hip or spine. In the UK alone, it is estimated that 60,000 hip, 50,000 wrist and 40,000 vertebral fractures occur each year in post-menopausal women.

The calculable cost associated with this total fracture burden due to osteoporosis in the UK is now greater than £742 million, 95% of which is associated with hip fractures, leading to an overall 15% reduction in survival, most deaths occurring within the first six months following the fracture. Additionally, such fractures are associated with considerable decrease in quality of life and a prolonged stay in hospital.

It is generally agreed that the bone mass loss leading to osteoporosis and its associated fractures can be readily delayed; what more it is preventable because patients suffering form osteoporosis can be identified either by means of an X-ray or by an ultrasound scan. Suitable medicines or hormone replacement therapy, when prescribed in time are highly effective in arresting or preventing this condition.