Review
Osteoporosis and its perspective in Pakistan: A review of evidence and issues for addressing fragility fractures

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2018.03.019Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Despite major advances in osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment, low rates of investigating and treating osteoporosis in patients with fragility fractures are reported.

  • Despite the high prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in Pakistan, there is not enough information regarding the prevalence of osteoporosis related fractures and the burden of the diseases.

  • Efforts are scarce and mostly due to individual efforts.

  • There is lack of recognition by government in the National action plan and osteoporosis is still not recognized as a major health issue in Pakistan.

  • Cost of therapies, time and cost of resources for diagnosis, concerns about medication and lack of clarity regarding the onus of responsibility to undertake this care, are some of the barriers to osteoporosis identification and treatment in Pakistan.

Abstract

Despite major advances in osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment, low rates of investigating and treating osteoporosis in patients with fragility fracture are reported in Pakistan. Cost of therapies, time and cost of resources for diagnosis, concerns about medications and lack of clarity regarding the onus of responsibility to undertake this care, are some of the barriers to osteoporosis identification and treatment. Data from our part of the world on osteoporosis as well as on fragility fractures is sparse. This review addresses the current screening and diagnostic strategies for osteoporosis and reviews the existing literature to highlight the issues prevalent in our society on this major public health problem.

Keywords

Osteoporosis
Fragility fractures
Risk factor
Fracture risk assessment tools
Pakistan

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