Spotting the missed opportunity: Improving secondary care access to osteoporosis services

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterised by decreased bone strength, predisposing to an increased risk of fracture mainly involving the thoracic and lumbar spine, distal radius and proximal femur, estimated to affect more than two million women in England and Wales. Its prevalence increases with age, from approximately 2% at age 50 years to more than 25% at age 80 years.