London Medical Launch a Service for the Diagnosis & Treatment of Osteoporosis
London Medical is proud to announce the launch of a comprehensive clinical outpatient service for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
Thanks to the most up-to-date bone densomiter, London Medical can now offer a ‘one-stop’ approach to diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. The bone density machine allows for rapid measurement of the spine to check for unidentified vertebral fractures (such are the majority), whilst a state-of-the-art scanner provides information over and above that usually obtained on routine bone density scanning. This includes the identification of unsuspected vertebral fractures, the monitoring of bone turnover and response to treatment through highly specialised biochemical tests with treatment tailor-made to every individual’s requirements.
The one-stop service is an unrivalled osteoporosis risk-assessment that takes place in a single visit to London Medical. It comprises a detailed questionnaire and bone density measurement, followed by a consultation with one of the specialists, when the scans are interpreted, the results explained and, where necessary, further investigations carried out.
The service is run by a team of dedicated bone disease experts, and led by Dr. T. G. Palferman, consultant rheumatologist, whose opinion in osteoporosis is nationally recognised and his Health Service unit is a previous winner of the prestigious Hospital Doctor Unit of the Year Award (http//www:drpalferman.com).
Osteoporosis facts:
• Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterised by compromised bone strength which is a reflection of bone density and bone quality, predisposing a person to an increased risk of a broken bone (fracture).
• In the United Kingdom the cost to the National Health Service of osteoporosis is £1.7 billion, and is rising. This equals the financial burden of coronary artery disease and the original estimated cost of hosting the 2012 Olympics. By 2020 it is envisaged that the annual cost will be £2.1 billion.
• Osteoporosis is known as the silent epidemic, since it usually lurks undetected until a fracture occurs, the commonest sites for which are wrist, spine (vertebrae) and hip. When fractures result from low or minimal trauma this should alert the clinician to the possibility of underlying osteoporosis.
• Fractures are not necessarily trivial, self-limiting events. Those in the spine and especially the hip can have serious consequences with severe loss of quality of life and, on occasions, death. The lifetime risk to a woman aged fifty of sustaining a fracture is 1.6 which compares with 1.9 risk for developing breast cancer. Currently, there are 70,000 hip, 50,000 wrist and approximately 120,000 vertebral fractures each year in the U.K.
• Although considered a problem of older women, impaired bone quality and increased fragility from osteoporosis is seen in children, adolescents, young adults and men. While there is a strong genetic link in osteoporosis, and the presence of one low trauma fracture increased the risk of another, there are many other risk factors including:
Premature menopause (less than 45 years).
Absence of menstruation, other than during pregnancy, from eating disorders; excess exercise; ovarian failure from many causes; the use of certain contraceptives which suppress oestrogen e.g. Depo-Provera.
Smoking.
Excess alcohol.
Low bone mass index (less than 18).
Limited weight bearing activity.
Poor diet with low calcium intake.
Vitamin D deficiency from reduced exposure to sunlight or dietary in origin.
Drugs, especially corticosteroids (cortisone), heparin and anti-convulscants.
Overactive thyroid, excess thyroxine replacement and overactive parathyroid glands.
Malabsorption, notably coeliac disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Chronic liver or kidney disease.
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