New report shows how a silent disease is cutting tens of thousands off from work and friends, as the world returns to normal

    On World Osteoporosis Day, new figures show how millions are missing out on the healthcare they need, with only half of people with osteoporosis feeling confident managing it

    • A new study of 3,000 people with osteoporosis shows nearly a fifth have had to cut back work due to the condition, either retiring early or reducing their hours
    • Nearly a third of people living with osteoporosis say they’re not getting the level of NHS care they need
    • The disease affects people in lower-income households more severely, leaving them more likely to live with long-term pain, to feel more socially isolated and to have their work affected

     

    Today, World Osteoporosis Day [October 20], the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) is publishing the biggest study for many years into life with the overlooked health condition. 

     The findings provide a new insight into how life has changed over the last decade for the 3.5m people living with osteoporosis (weak bones). The research also shows steep drops in confidence about how to manage the condition since the last report in 2014. 

     In a bitter irony, osteoporosis – which is one of the top global challenges for living well in later life – is known as a ‘silent disease’ because of under-diagnosis, under-treatment and low levels of public awareness of the importance of bone health to growing older healthily. Yet, today and every day, someone suffers a broken bone (a fracture) every minute due to osteoporosis2.

     

    Key findings include:

     

    • Over a quarter of respondents (26%) are living with long-term pain, with a 10pt drop in the number of people who feel confident about how to manage pain (just 56)

     

    • 42% say their osteoporosis has affected them physically; 71% of those have suffered height loss or change in body shape, including lost height and curvature of the spine (warning signs often mistaken for ‘just getting old’)

     

    • Almost three-quarters (71%) have trouble with cleaning and cooking, two-thirds (67%) struggle with the shopping, while over half (52%) say the condition affects their ability to get around by driving and public transport

     

    • Just over half (51%) have reduced or stopped hobbies, while 47% have cut back on social activities

     

    • One in five (17%) said they’ve had to scale back work because of their osteoporosis, either retiring early or reducing their hours.  This suggests the disease could be costing the UK economy significantly lower output from over half a million people

     

    The report shows that the disease affects people in lower-income households more severely. The findings show they’re more likely to live with long-term pain, to have had their work lives and living arrangements affected, as well as to feel severely socially isolated and cut off from the help they need.

     

    Published figures show that over 60% of people who are at high risk of fractures are missing out on the healthcare they need3. Many people who attend A&E with fractures are fixed up and sent home, without treating the underlying osteoporosis. This leaves them vulnerable to repeated, painful fractures. ROS data shows a quarter of women suffer three or more fractures before finally getting a diagnosis and moved onto the safe, effective medication that can repair their bones4.

     

    Today’s report shows we have a mountain to climb in helping people navigate the treatment options their independence could depend on:

     

    • Less than half (48%) were confident they’re on the right treatment regime, with only 53% saying the benefits and drawbacks of their medication were properly explained to them

     

    • Less than half of people (42%) think their doctor takes osteoporosis seriously – an 18pt drop since the question was asked in 2014

     

    • Under a third (32%) of people felt they were getting the level of monitoring and review they need, which is also down 15pts since 2014

     

    • Only half (54%) felt confident about managing their osteoporosis properly, suggesting that millions are missing opportunities to prevent further debilitating fractures

     

    The low profile of osteoporosis is not a UK-specific problem, with health systems across the world falling short in tackling this major barrier to ageing well. This is driven, in part, by misconceptions that shrinking bodies are just a normal part of getting older, that the disease only affects women, and that bones are lifeless and unchangeable. 

    In fact, people can pay into their ‘bone bank’ through weight-bearing exercise, good calcium levels and sufficient vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis and protect their independence in later life.

    HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is highlighting the importance of supporting people living with osteoporosis at a World Osteoporosis Day afternoon tea at Clarence House. Her Royal Highness has been President of the Royal Osteoporosis Society since 2001 and became involved with the charity following the deaths of her mother and grandmother as a result of the condition.

    Today’s report is being presented to the PM’s advisors at Number 10 to inform government officials as they consider how to support people living with chronic conditions following the pandemic’s impact on our overstretched NHS. 

     

    Craig Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society said:

    “We’ve under-estimated osteoporosis as a society for many decades, with the disease being one of the foremost obstacles to living well in older age. We’re all living longer, but the independence and social lives of many hundreds of thousands are being stolen by this cruel disease. The missed opportunities to respond to early warning signs lead to people slipping through the cracks every day.

    It doesn’t need to be like this. Most of the distress, social isolation, broken connections and spiralling NHS cost caused by osteoporosis are preventable. With a prompt diagnosis and the right support, we can transform people’s experience of later life, prevent enormous suffering and protect the recovering NHS.”

    More from Local and National News

    Listener Club

    Get more with the Listener Club!

    • The Golden Era The Golden Era

      The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm

    • Legal Show Legal Show

      Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.

    • Bhangra Nights Bhangra Nights

      Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm

    • Remix Saturdays Remix Saturdays

      Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm