Osteoporosis: Women above 50 years at higher risk of
hip fracture than men
Women who are above 50
years, suffer from higher risk of getting diagnosed with osteoporosis or
weakening of bones than men leading to hip fracture, according to health expert
at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS). “80 per cent of
osteoporosis cases are found in women. Every one woman out of two aged above 50
suffers from the risk of getting diagnosed from osteoporosis. Only 20 per cent
men suffer from chances of osteoporosis as it arises after the age of 80,” said
Dr Rajesh Malhotra, Head, Dept of Orthopaedics, AIIMS said at sidelines of an
event “Strong Bones Healthy and Safe Aging” organised here on Thursday.
According to Malhotra,
women undergo hormonal changes after menopause which leads to weakening or loss
of bones further enhancing chances of hip fracture in elderly called “Hip
Attack” which is as serious and life threatening as heart or brain attack.
“Most patients are women
for osteoporosis. Their height starts reducing and which is also an indicator
of hip attack. If one vertebra damages, then the risk of another vertebra
damage increases by 2.5 times. And if anyone faces vertebra fracture than 20
per cent of the patients are likely to face another fracture within a year,” he
added.
According to the medical
expert, the elderly population are at risk for sustaining fragility fractures
due to weak bones as a result of age associated with osteoporosis. These
fractures are sinister and often lead to death or disability. Survivors are
left crippled and are prone to more fractures in future.
“If around 15 lakh cases
are being reported now, this number is going to multiply six times by 2050 only
in Asia. Hip fractures are going to become an epidemic in coming few years in
India,”
Apart from more
awareness, Malhotra said the government needs to formulate policies on
osteoporosis as it is emerging as a major health concern.
07.09.2018
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