The AMA has called for better coordination across the medical profession and other health providers in alerting patients to the early signs of osteoporosis.

“The release of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on Arthritis and Osteoporosis in Australia (2008) is a reminder that we need to ensure we have sound arrangements for the long-term management of osteoporosis,” AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said.

“As our population ages, the number of people who have osteoporosis increases. Prevention is important as is early detection and good clinical supervision and management of patients at risk of fracture.  This can make a real difference to quality of life.  For those who have experienced their first fracture, assessment, management, rehabilitation and prevention of further fracture is essential.  GP’s screen for osteoporosis and initiate treatment, educate patients on prevention and protection from falls and fracture and at the same time reduce the burden on the health care system.

“All minor fractures in at risk groups that are treated in hospital should be assessed for osteoporosis and must be followed up to avoid another, more serious fracture.  After their first fracture, a person’s risk of a second fracture doubles.  It is really important that these people are well managed to prevent the second fracture, for example, of their hip or pelvis, from occurring.  GPs must be advised that their patient has had a fracture so that they can follow up, and fracture clinics can make a huge difference in helping people to reduce their risk factors for a second fracture, in the same way that cardiac clinics help heart attack patients avoid having another heart attack.