Rising Number of People with Osteoporosis Growing Concern for Aging Population
Osteoporosis is a chronic health condition characterized by excessive bone loss and related bone fractures caused by the disease. Approximately 10 million U.S. adults 50 years of age and older had osteoporosis, and an additional 33 million had low bone mass.
A recent study illustrates the significance of this global problem. Over 200 million people have osteoporosis worldwide, and the incidence rate increases with age. The number of older people with osteoporosis is significant, with over 70% of those over age 80 being affected. It is more common in females than in males. More women are affected by bone density issues than men. In the developed world, 2% to 8% of males and 9% to 38% of females are impacted. Worldwide, there are approximately 9 million fractures yearly due to osteoporosis.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases say osteoporosis is a "silent" disease. Individuals usually will not have symptoms and may not even know they have osteoporosis until they break a bone.
Osteoporosis Leads to Fractures
Osteoporosis is the primary cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and older men. Most fractures occur in the hip, vertebrae in the spine, and wrist, although any bone can be affected.
Often those with osteoporosis, especially those with fractures, require long-term health care and help with everyday living activities. For example, a hip fracture often leads to someone needing long-term care in a nursing home.
People who have used steroids in the past are at higher risk for bone loss, osteoporosis, and broken bones. Even those treated for cancer can have a higher risk of bone loss.
The care recipients have limited independence and lower quality of life. Without quality care, the person's health can decline.
DXA Scans Used to Diagnose
A bone density test, or densitometry, is a scan that measures bone density. It is also called a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan.
Bone density tests are ordered by an individual's doctor to diagnose osteoporosis or osteopenia. Osteopenia is when your bones are weaker than normal but not yet to the point that places a person at high risk for fracture.
A bone density scan results in a T-score. The T-score gives a doctor a number used to diagnose a person with osteoporosis or osteopenia.
There are medications that the doctor will use to improve bone density and help prevent a bone fracture. These medications can be used when someone has osteopenia or even osteoporosis.
T-Scores and Medications
According to Harvard Medical, a doctor will likely recommend medication if the person has:
a T-score of –2.5 or lower—the definition of osteoporosis
a history of hip or vertebral (spinal) fracture caused by a fall while standing (in contrast to a fall from a height)
a T-score between –1.0 and –2.5 (osteopenia) and a high risk of hip or osteoporosis-related fracture in the next 10 years.
Medication can improve your bone density and T-score, reducing your risk for a bone fracture. There are many medications, besides calcium supplements and Vitamin D, which the doctor may recommend - Osteoporosis drugs: Which one is right for you? - Harvard Health.
Drug Market for Osteoporosis Growing
The global osteoporosis drug market was valued at $11.5 Billion in 2018. Research shows the drug market for osteoporosis will continue to increase in the decades ahead.
The rising prevalence of osteoporosis due to a growing aging population more prone to osteoporosis, along with the introduction of new drug therapies, will grow this sector with the development and introduction of more medications to prevent and treat osteoporosis.
These medical developments will improve the quality of life for many older people. These medications will not prevent the need for long-term health care in older people. However, they will reduce some of the risks that fractures bring that cause much longer long-term care situations.
Aging and Long-Term Health Care
U.S. government research suggests that about half the population who reach age 65 will need long-term health care services. The costs for these caregivers, either at a person's home or in a facility like assisted living, can adversely impact income and assets.
There is more than just the financial impact of long-term health care to be concerned about. Many people are concerned with the consequences on the family. Adult children often become default in-home care providers since no other plan was implemented.
Older adults who suffer from falls or have limited mobility due to osteoporosis require more attention and professional care to keep them safe and improve their quality of life. The care costs are increasing dramatically due to inflation, higher labor costs, and greater demand for care services.
Be Proactive
Taking proactive steps with health and planning will better manage aging and future care. Women over 50 and certain men should discuss when to schedule their first bone density test.
Planning for access to quality care and protecting assets from the cost of care should start before health problems begin to mount. Most people obtain Long-Term Care Insurance in their 50s. LTC Insurance is generally the ideal way to safeguard assets and access quality care options.