65% of women with fragility fractures in Spain were not diagnosed with osteoporosis

Understanding Osteoporosis in Spain

Key Findings from the Osteoporosis Observatory Survey

A recent survey by the Hispanic Foundation for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases (FHOEMO) looked at 934 people, most of whom were women around 62 years old. The results show a big gap between having a fragility fracture and getting a proper osteoporosis diagnosis.

Diagnosis Gaps

• Only 5 % of women who suffered a fragility fracture were diagnosed with osteoporosis.
• Overall, 64.5 % of women with a fragility fracture had never been told they have osteoporosis.
• Osteoporosis affects about 22 % of women and 6.8 % of men over 50 in Spain.

Why Osteoporosis Goes Unnoticed

The disease is often called “silent” because it doesn’t cause pain until a bone breaks. Many people mistake fracture pain for osteoarthritis or another issue, which delays diagnosis.

Knowledge and Communication Problems

• More than 50 % of patients said their doctor never explained prevention steps.
• 72 % left appointments with unanswered questions about the disease.
• After diagnosis, 45 % weren’t informed about available medicines, and 56 % didn’t know the benefits or risks of those drugs.

Impact on Daily Life

Almost half (49.5 %) of those who had a fracture reported limitations in everyday activities. The loss of mobility can lead to insecurity and even depression, which makes staying active harder.

Gender Differences

Osteoporosis is more common in women:

• One in four women over 50 has the condition.
• Four out of five osteoporosis‑related fractures happen to women.
• In Spain, around 330,000 women experience a fragility fracture each year.

Experts stress that early diagnosis and prevention are especially important for women after menopause.

What Can Help?

• Lifestyle: Weight‑bearing exercise (like running or jumping) during teen years, safe sun exposure for vitamin D, and a balanced diet rich in calcium and protein.
• Screening: Women with risk factors should ask for a bone density test (densitometry) before a fracture occurs.
• Fracture Coordination Units: These multidisciplinary teams in hospitals improve follow‑up care. Spain now has 85 such units, two more than last year. They help 70 % of patients stay on treatment and could prevent over 1,200 fractures yearly, saving about €18.4 million.

Osteopenia vs. Osteoporosis

Osteopenia is a milder loss of bone mineral density that can progress to osteoporosis if not addressed. The survey found that while 93 % of respondents know what osteoporosis is, 34 % cannot tell the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Conclusion

Osteoporosis remains a hidden threat, especially for women over 50 in Spain. The data show that many people suffer fractures without ever receiving a proper diagnosis or clear information about prevention and treatment. Improving doctor‑patient communication, expanding fracture coordination units, and encouraging early bone‑density screening can make a big difference. By raising awareness and promoting healthy habits early in life, we can reduce the number of painful fractures and protect long‑term bone health.

Source

Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es