Time to bone up on osteoporosis
Only one in 10 know how to prevent this 'silent' condition

SINGAPORE - Many may understand the dangers of osteoporosis, but only one in 10 know that regular exercise and a high-calcium diet can help prevent this condition, revealed the results of a study released last week by the Health Promotion Board.

The study of 4,500 Singaporeans was conducted last year and such a finding comes despite more efforts to increase awareness of the condition. which causes bones to become weak and brittle.

The Osteoporosis Society (Singapore), for one, has strengthened its public awareness programmes significantly since 1996, with the use of public forums and reaching out to the heartlands.Aseparate HPB survey in 2005 also showed that seven in 10 are aware of the seriousness of the condition.

But they may not show interest in learning more about osteoporosis until it is too late, for instance. after a fracture, because it is a "silent condition", said Dr Carol Tan, a senior consultant geriatrician at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH).

OSS president Lau Tang Ching cited a "language barrier and low education level" as the barriers to educating the older population, who are especially in need of information on the condition.

A KKH screening of 500 seniors, age 60 years and above, was conducted between last August and this May, and some 220 returned abnormal results after undergoing a bone mineral density measurement.

Weakened bones from osteoporosis increase one's chances of fractures due to a fall . Locally, the incidence of hip fractures has increased one-and-a-half times in men and five times in women over the last 40 years.

"To date most of the publicity have been general media messages:' said Dr Tan, who pointed out that there "could be many more in the community with osteoporosis that are undiagnosed".

She suggested more community screening or risk profiling, and follow up counselling in the appropriate language and setting such as a local community centre.

Help could come in the next year or two, added Associate Professor Lau of the OSS, when the electronic health records are up and able to locate potential patients who may have osteoporosis.