Osteoporosis

Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to Dr Saadat Ahmed, ST5 in Geriatrics for a deep dive into Osteoporosis. We cover what it is, why it matters, what the risks factors are, who and how to assess for it, and what to do with results from FRAX and DXA scans. After a discussion on lifestyle options to help improve bone health, we ask advice on counselling patients around the pros and cons of taking Bisphosphonates including his advice on talking about the rarer side effects.

We talk through a case and ask advice on how to reassess bone health after these initial conversations, and medications might have been started, including when to consider drug holidays.

Useful resources: 

• Osteoporosis - Prevention of Fragility Fractures NICE CKS Guidelines (updated Apr 2023): https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/osteoporosis-prevention-of-fragility-fractures/

• FRAX Calculator UK (Link from National Osteoporosis Guideline Group UK: https://frax.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/tool.aspx?country=1

• WHO Falls Management: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls

• National Osteoporosis Guideline Group UK: https://www.nogg.org.uk/full-guideline/section-4-intervention-thresholds-and-strategy

  https://www.nogg.org.uk/full-guideline/section-7-strategies-management-osteoporosis-and-fracture-risk

• SIGN Scottish Osteoporosis Guidelines (discussion of evidence for links between PPIs and Osteoporosis on page 27): https://www.sign.ac.uk/media/1812/sign-142-osteoporosis-v3.pdf

• Osteonecrosis of the Jaw relative risk discussed on page 37 of National Osteoporosis Guideline Group UK: https://www.nogg.org.uk/sites/nogg/download/NOGG-Guideline-2021-g.pdf

• Diagnosis and management of osteonecrosis of the jaw: a systematic review and international consensus, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Khan A et al 2015: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25414052/

• Flow Chart for Oral Bisphosphonates long term treatment and monitoring NOGG Guidelines: Page 35: https://www.nogg.org.uk/sites/nogg/download/NOGG-Guideline-2021-g.pdf

• Rubin KH, Rothmann MJ, Holmberg T, et al. Effectiveness of a two-step population-based osteoporosis screening program using FRAX: the randomized Risk-stratified Osteoporosis Strategy Evaluation (ROSE) study. Osteoporosis Int 2018; 29(3): 567-78. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29218381/

• Merlijn T, Swart KM, van Schoor NM, et al. The Effect of a Screening and Treatment Program for the Prevention of Fractures in Older Women: A Randomized Pragmatic Trial. J Bone Miner Res 2019; 34(11): 1993-2000. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31220365/

• Merlijn T, Swart KMA, van der Horst HE, Netelenbos JC, Elders PJM. Fracture prevention by screening for high fracture risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Osteoporosis Int 2020; 31(2): 251-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31838551/

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This podcast has been made with the support of GP Excellence and Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 

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