Unmasking India’s osteoporosis care crisis
- October 27, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
Unmasking India’s osteoporosis care crisis
Subject: Science and Tech
Section: Health
Context:
- Only a small percentage of people in India receive care for their osteoporosis – a condition characterized by weakening of bones.
Osteoporosis or weakening of bones:
- Osteoporosis day: 20 October
- Theme: Build better bones
- Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decreases, or when the quality or structure of bone changes. This can lead to a decrease in bone strength that can increase the risk of broken bones (fractures).
- It causes long-term pain, changes in posture and increases chances of fractures and nerve injury.
- These symptoms negatively impact the quality of life and increase disability and financial burden on the family.
- Data shows that at least 46 million women in India currently live with post-menopausal osteoporosis, which is only one type of osteoporosis.
- Other causes of Osteoporosis:
- Women who had surgeries to remove their uterus, people who used steroid medication for a long time, and Old age.
- A 2019 study also revealed that India was the highest contributor to osteoporosis fracture-related deaths/disabilities worldwide.
- Endocrinologist: Doctors/practitioners having knowledge about bone conditions.
- Most of the Indian population does not have access to DEXA or the bone mineral density scan – the gold standard test for osteoporosis.
- A study found that in India, there are only 0.26 DEXA machines per million of the population.
- Singh index to diagnose osteoporosis:
- It is a score that requires only an X-ray of the patient’s pelvis to diagnose osteoporosis.
Source: TH