Lack of knowledge of osteoporosis: a multi-centre, observational study

Osteoporosis poses a significant health problem. As the population ages, its incidence increases. Effective prevention requires good awareness of the disease among the general public. The aim of this study was to assess the level and source of osteoporosis knowledge in a group of patients attending for Dual Emission X-ray Absorpitometry (DEXA) scanning.

A questionnaire was devised to assess knowledge of the osteoporosis risk factors, risk-reducing measures and signs/symptoms. Questionnaires were completed by 176 patients in two centres; Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK (120 patients), and Christchurch Public Hosp, New Zealand (56 patients).

Overall knowledge of osteoporosis was poor. In terms of risk factors 31.8% (n=56/176) knew no risk factors at all, 19.3% (n=34/176) knew no risk reducing measures and 39.2% (n=69/176) knew no signs or symptoms of osteoporosis.

Knowledge of osteoporosis, despite this cohort being a group of patients attending for DEXA scanning, was poor. There is a need for the public to to be made more aware of osteoporosis, thereby enabling them to be more actively involved in preventive measures. National campaigns are required to increase awareness. Furthermore, increasing health professionals' awareness of the considerable limitations which exist in public knowledge of the disease, leading to a new realisation of the need for them to discuss osteoporosis with their patients, could provide a highly effective means of increasing awareness of the disease.