The low-profile condition that’s become the second worst filler of hospital beds – and the cruel way it targets women

Melanie (64): “None of the broken bones were taken seriously, despite the horrendous pain which feels like you’re being cut in half”

World Osteoporosis Day (20 October): New data shows enormous awareness gap fuelling growing rates of hospitalisation and disability as the population ages

The Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) has today warned that millions of people in the UK are at risk of life-changing disability, and even premature death, because they’re unaware of the risk factors and warning signs of bone disease. Its new data, published today, shows how low public awareness is fuelling hundreds of thousands of avoidable hospitalisations and a growing reliance on care. 

Half of women aged over 50 will break bones due to osteoporosis, and a fifth of men of similar age. That’s every other mother, every other grandmother. Osteoporosis causes bones to break after simple, everyday things, such as a cough, a sneeze, a fall from standing height or a hug from grandchildren. Women are affected most because of hormonal changes during menopause. 

Broken bones caused by the condition aren’t just a temporary inconvenience; they’re the fourth worst cause of disability and premature death in the UK. Broken bones amongst adults are the second greatest filler of hospital beds – and most of these patients have undetected osteoporosis.  The end result of untreated osteoporosis is a broken hip, which prematurely kills over a quarter of sufferers within a year.

Older people who suffer broken bones (also known as fractures) experience chronic pain and disability, which commonly causes them to reduce or leave employment, withdraw from social occasions and become housebound due to the risk of further breaks.  People with spinal fractures often experience a curved spine, with breathing and digestion problems due to the compression.

There are safe, effective drug treatments available which can stop bones breaking from osteoporosis, but two in every three patients with the condition are missing out on treatment due to low awareness and a postcode lottery for diagnostics in the NHS.  The ROS says that, without urgent action, our ageing population will cause an escalating health emergency, worsening the revolving door of fracture patients in hospitals and leading to 2,000 avoidable deaths per year.

The charity highlights low awareness as the main reason for increasing numbers of hospitalisations.  Too few people are aware that broken bones in adulthood could be caused by osteoporosis, and that one break can be soon followed by further, more serious ones. 

New data from YouGov, released on World Osteoporosis Day (20 October), shows the scale of the awareness deficit. 

• Over half (52%)** of people have never considered they may one day be diagnosed with osteoporosis. This includes 41% of women, the gender most commonly affected.
• 75%* of people in the UK are unaware of the fact that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over 50 were at a risk of broken bones because of osteoporosis.
• Only 6%** of people associate back pain with osteoporosis, even though bones in the spine break most commonly, presenting through severe back pain. 6m people have undiagnosed breaks in their spine, because 80% of these breaks never get diagnosed.
• Only 28% of people** know that family history is the most important risk factor when it comes to their own risk of developing osteoporosis. Only four in ten (41%)** would consider checking their own risk if their parent broke a hip.
• 74% of people** think bone health peaks later than it does. In fact, our bone density peaks in our thirties and declines thereafter – with steadily increasing risk.
• 76% of people* don’t consider a broken bone as being a disability. In reality, broken bones caused by osteoporosis are the fourth worst cause of disability and premature death in the UK.
• More than half (52%)* of adults haven’t considered a broken bone could have a long-term impact on mental health, and 29%* don’t regard a broken bone as having a long-term impact on physical health.

Our case study shows the reality of life with osteoporosis: “I felt ‘squashed’ due to the pressure on my internal organs”

Osteoporosis patient, Melanie (64), said:

“I’ve had 13 spinal fractures in total and have lost 7.5” in height. None of the broken bones were taken seriously by the medical profession, despite the horrendous pain which feels like you’re being cut in half.

“When you put your feet on the floor first thing in the morning, you hope that you’re not going to have as much pain as the previous day. The bone will heal but everything around it has been pushed out of place, so you’re still in pain.

“I’ve lost the ‘middle’ part of my body, so everything has become squashed, causing pressure on my internal organs. It affects every single aspect of my life, including being unable to lift my grandchildren up and limiting how much I can do with them.

“Before, I was perfectly healthy, I loved hill walking and I used to walk miles. Now I can’t walk to the end of the street without a stick and getting out of breath because of the pressure on my organs. I can’t sleep straight and have to sleep sitting up. I also can’t bend, so can only do things in the garden at one level, and I’m no longer tall enough to reach things. Even something like mopping causes chest pain like you’re having a heart attack due to the muscles around the heart spasming.

“I could sit here and cry. I don’t want to go down that path, but it’s easy for your mental health to reach rock bottom.”

Craig Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said:

“Too often, broken bones mean broken lives.  Very few of us are aware of our family history when it comes to osteoporosis, but the number of broken bones is rising steadily as the population ages.  Without urgent action, a longer life won’t necessarily be a better life, and people’s later years will be blighted by pain and disability.  Preventing broken bones relies on understanding risk, seeking out medication if needed, and making simple lifestyle changes to stay well.”

While osteoporosis disproportionately affects women, it can affect anyone.  In response to the new data showing the scale of the awareness gap, ROS is urging people to check their risk in three minutes using their online tool which has been supported by Her Majesty The Queen.  

Since the risk checker launched two years ago, over 390,000 people have checked their risk, with over 49,000 people going on to receive an early diagnosis, meaning they now have access to medication to strengthen their bones and avoid life-changing breaks later in life.  Weight-bearing exercise, vitamin D supplementation and calcium are sensible lifestyle changes to stay well.

Melanie, continued:

“It’s frightening that something that’s preventable is not being spoken about or highlighted. I have three daughters, one of menopause age, and they’re very aware of osteoporosis because of my spinal fractures but it’s still seen as an elderly ladies’ disease and nothing to worry about.  

“It’s about getting the right information and the right treatment at the right time. Each broken bone increases the risk of further breaks, and treatment can significantly reduce this so everyone should be aware of the risk of osteoporosis.

“I don’t want to hear or see anybody else going through what I’ve gone through. My message to anyone going through similar struggles is if nobody is listening, push. You’re in charge of your own health and your own body. Make them listen. Fight for your right to get the right treatment.”

To check your osteoporosis risk, use our online risk checker tool.