Almost 4,000 people were hospitalised for osteoporosis-related hip fractures in Ireland in 2019 and 69% of these were female, the Irish Osteoporosis Society has said.

It is urging women over the age of 65 to make bone health a priority. A recent survey of GPs carried out by the society revealed that 92% said patients that were diagnosed with osteoporosis following a fracture were surprised with their diagnosis.

The charity also warned that the treatment gap for osteoporosis is widening nationwide and Ireland currently has the sixth highest rate of hip fragility fractures in the world.

Fragility fractures occur after low-level or low-energy traumas, such as falling from standing height or less.

“Early diagnosis of this silent disease is extremely important to help people, particularly women, avoid potentially life-changing injuries. Our recent GP survey indicates clearly that more awareness is needed, but also GPs need better access to resources like DXA scans,” commented the society’s founder, Prof Moira O’Brien,

According to the survey, 54% of GPs said that a lack of resources has a negative effect on diagnosing osteoporosis. Some 69% said that they do offer advice to at-risk patients on how to avoid fractures, however 100% believe that patient knowledge needs to be improved.

This issue was highlighted to coincide with World Osteoporosis Day 2021 (October 20).