Secular trends in incidence of osteoporosis in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study

The present study aimed to assess the changes in trend of osteoporosis among the Taiwanese population from 2001 to 2011.

The National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan, containing records from approximately 23 million insures from 2001 to 2011, was analyzed. Insurees aged≧50 years with osteoporosis were identified either from previously documented osteoporotic diagnosis or osteoporosis-related fractures according to Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic code.

The prevalence of osteoporosis increased from 17.4% in 2001 to 25.0% in 2011. The prevalence trend increased from 2001 to 2005 and plateaued thereafter. During 2001-2005, the incidence rate of hip fracture held steady from 277 to 281 per 100,000 person-years, and decreased thereafter from 262 to 247 per 100,000 person-years. The overall incidence of osteoporosis declined among patients younger than 84 years from 2001 to 2011, especially after 2005. As compared with 2005 and before, the incidence rate of osteoporosis was significantly decreased since 2006.

The secular changes of osteoporosis in Taiwan are quite similar to the trend in western countries. It reveals how osteoporosis awareness and policy interventions can affect the prevalence trend of osteoporosis.