Osteoporosis – diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Osteoporosis is the most common disease of bone, with over 300,000 sufferers in Ireland (IOS 2011). Even with these figures it remains underdiagnosed due largely to a lack of awareness. Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fragility fractures costing our economy in excess of €500 million per annum. With our ageing population these figures are set to increase. The 2008 Strategy to Prevent Falls and Fractures in our Ageing Population stipulated that action is required for the future bone health of our nation. Education on osteoporosis, bone health and fall prevention is therefore a priority for healthcare professionals as well as the general population.