Overview

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. Often the condition develops slowly over several years, and is only diagnosed when a minor fall or sudden impact causes a bone fracture. Worldwide, osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, which is equivalent to an osteoporotic fracture every 3 seconds, and typically 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will suffer from the condition in their lifetime.

In Vietnam alone, according to preliminary data from the Institute of Nutrition, osteoporosis affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men who are over 50. It is estimated that in the country, 2.5 million people have osteoporosis and over 150,000 suffer from osteoporotic fractures.

Osteoporosis is characterised by low bone mineral density (BMD) and destruction of bone tissue, which both lead to an increased risk of fractures. The bones most commonly affected by osteoporosis include the hip, spine, and wrist. The effects of osteoporosis can be devastating, leading to pain, disability, loss of independence and, in some cases, death. As an example, vertebral fractures are associated with significant long-term disability, pain and kyphosis. low BMD incurs an increased risk of acquiring a fracture, however the most at risk for osteoporosis fractures are postmenopausal women and elderly men.

Commonly, osteoporosis is underdiagnosed and advice on correct medication is often poor. Most people are not aware of their own fracture risk and do not receive appropriate education, screening or management even after they have had a minimal trauma fracture. As a result, one of the largest gaps in it’s treatment is the failure to prevent subsequent fractures.  

Key points you should know:

World Health Organisation diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis, osteopenia and normal bone mineral density.

• Refer all patients aged 70 years and over to check their bone mineral density (BMD using Dual-energy Xx-ray absorptiometry (DXA) if they have not done so already.not had one.
• Use a fracture-risk calculator to help high-risk patients understand their own fracture risk and to discuss treatment options.
• Emphasise to patients the importance of taking osteoporosis medication medicines as directed to optimise the effects of their  treatment effects.
• ForIn  patients suffering from a with minimal trauma fracture, initiate osteoporosis treatment without waiting for a DXA scan.

How to identify high-risk patients:

➢ Recommend a DXA to check a patient’s BMD and screen for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men aged over> 50 years in the following cases:

• Previous minimal trauma fracture
• Aged over 70
• Non-modifiable:
  • Family history of having fractures
• Modifiable and lifestyle:
  • Premature menopause
  • Hypogonadism
  • Repeated falls
  • Immobility/inactivity
  • Low body weight or low muscle mass and strength
  • Poor balance
  • Low protein or calcium intake
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol – over 2 standard drinks/day
  • Vitamin D insufficiency
• Diseases or conditions:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Chronic kidney/liver disease
  • Coeliac disease or malabsorption
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Myeloma or MGUS
  • Organ transplant or bone marrow transplant
  • HIV infection
  • Depression
  • Anti-androgen therapy
• Medications (large effect):
  • Glucocorticoids (over 3 months taking 5 mg or more of prednisolone a day)
  • Excess thyroid hormone replacement
  • Aromatase inhibitors
• Medications (modest effect)
  • SSRIs
  • Antipsychotics
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Anti-epileptic medications
  • PPIs

➢ Refer patients with a height loss of 3 cm or more, kyphosis or new unexplained back pain for a standard spine X-ray.
➢Use “Garvan Fracture Risk Calculator” (GRFC), at https://www.garvan.org.au/promotions/bone-fracture-risk/calculator/, or “Fracture Risk Assessment Tool” (FRAX), at https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/FRAX/ to estimate fracture risk.

How to start osteoporosis medicines:

➢ To treat minimal trauma fractures:

➢ To treat high-risk patients:

➢ To reduce future fracture:

Medications for osteoporosis:

Patient Education

• Explain to your patients the importance of taking osteoporosis medicine as directed and how to minimise side effects.
• IllustrateExplain to your patients the seriousness and complications of a minimal trauma fracture, especially in at the hip or spine.
• Encourage your patients to exercise in order to improve their musculoskeletal health and reduce their risk of falling and suffering a fracture. Refer them to physiotherapist or exercise physiologist if necessary.
• Explain to your patients that they can prevent osteoporosis, falling and causing fractures by limiting alcohol intake, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, having an adequate diet and adhering to safe sunlight exposure.

Reference

1. International Osteoporosis Foundation. Facts and Statistics – Osteoporosis incidence and burden. https://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-statistics#category-14.
2. Qaseem A., Forciea M.A., McLean R.M., Denberg T.D. – Treatment of low bone density or osteoporosis to prevent fractures in men and women: a clinical practice guideline update from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med 2017;166:818-39.
3. Australian Government, Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Stopping Osteoporotic fractures. June 2018
4. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Osteoporosis Australia. Osteoporosis risk assessment, diagnosis and management. Available at: https://www.racgp.org.au/download/Documents/Guidelines/Musculoskeletal/osteoporosis-algorithm.pdf
5. Johnell O. and Kanis J. A. (2006) An estimate of the worldwide prevalence and disability associated with osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporos Int 17:1726.