Bone Abstracts

Background: In 2004, we reported a 48.1% prevalence of osteoporosis in an Ibansung cohort. The current prospective intervention study was undertaken in order to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis from 2004 to 2015 and the increasing treatment rate of osteoporosis following osteoporosis screening tests with ultrasound bone densitometry and education in the same cohort.

Methods: From November 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015, 960 adults ≥50 years of age were enrolled in this study. All participants received screening tests for osteoporosis using ultrasound bone densitometry and education concerning osteoporosis and related conditions. The participants were interviewed using a questionnaire on the diagnosis and initiation of osteoporosis treatment during the follow-up period.

Results: Of 960 potential participants, 865 were included; 88 individuals were not in the Ibansung region at the time of the study and 7 people had died. Of these, 595 (68.8%; 150 men and 445 women) were given bone densitometry measurements and completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 74.0 years (range, 51–94 years). Of the 595 participants, 393 people (66.1%; 326 woman and 67 men) were diagnosed with osteoporosis (T score <−2.5). The prevalence of osteoporosis showed an increasing trend, from 48.1% in 2004 to 66.1% in 2015. Of the 393 participants diagnosed with osteoporosis, 65 participants received additional bone densitometry measurements while hospitalized and osteoporosis management was re-initiated in 44 patients. The osteoporosis management rate in the study cohort increased from 21.6 to 32.8%, with osteoporosis diagnosed in 66.2% of participants at the latest follow-up.

Conclusions: This prospective intervention study demonstrated that a screening test and an educational brochure increased the treatment rate from 21.6 to 32.8%. Therefore, dissemination of knowledge about osteoporosis can be helpful in increasing the treatment rate of osteoporosis in community-dwelling individuals.