Osteoporosis is one of the most common metabolic bone disease especially so in a developing country like India and can result in devastating physical, psychosocial, and economic consequences. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass with micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility with reduction in both bone quantity and quality. The syndrome includes the triad of back pain, fractures without significant trauma (commonly at spine, hip, distal radius, and proximal humerus) and low mineral density (BMD)¹.

World Health Organization (WHO) criteria defines a normal T-score value as within 1 standard deviation (SD) of the mean BMD value taken at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in a healthy young adult. For each standard deviation (SD) reduction in BMD, the relative fracture risk is increased 1.5-3 times.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is currently the gold standard for the evaluation of BMD.

There are various risk factors associated with the development of osteoporosis. A potentially useful mnemonic for osteoporotic risk factors is ‘OSTEOPOROSIS’, which indicates: LOw calcium intake, Seizure medicine (anticonvulsants) , Thin build, Ethanol intake, HypOgonadism, Previous fracture, Thyr Oid excess , Race (white, Asian), Other relatives with osteoporosis, Steroids , Inactivity, Smoking

There is a paucity of literature with regard to the prevalence of this very important health related problem in India, especially north-eastern region of the country.

Therefore, it becomes imperative to know about the magnitude of this preventable problem, its various clinical presentations and the socio-economic profile of the patients suffering from this problem in our setting which has prompted us to undertake such a study here. It will further help us in taking remedial measures to combat this problem in the community. This early diagnosis of osteoporosis would facilitate early initiation of pharmacotherapy and secondary preventive measures using patient education and physical therapy.
Keywords: osteoporosis, northeast india, demographic profile.

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Dr Manika Agarwal

Associate Professor (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong (India)

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