As part of the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative, more than 140 health care professionals from across Grampian took part in a clinical workshop on Wednesday, 27 April 2005 at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen.
Nanette Milne MSP who the gave opening remarks to delegates said "I was delighted to be asked to open the workshop, and to be associated with the very valuable work being done to improve the understanding, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. This widespread disease is generally silent until patients suffer its consequences such as bone fractures, and in a country where the population is ageing, and more and more people are on medication which can lead to a decrease in bone density, it is increasingly important that people understand how lifestyle can prevent osteoporosis, and also that those at particular risk can have their bone density checked at an early stage before complications develop."
A wide range of health care professionals took part including nurses, doctors, consultants, pharmacists and representatives from NHS Grampian. The workshop was packed with topics covering areas such as diet, the role of physiotherapy, falls prevention, fragility fractures and an overview of the current osteoporosis service in Grampian.
Professor David Reid, Professor of Rheumatology & Head of Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen Medical School, said “It is always valuable to have an opportunity to spread the good news about the improvements in understanding and management of osteoporosis in Grampian and beyond”.
“The meeting heard of the considerable improvements that have been made in the services for osteoporosis, in particular the Bone Density measurement service”. A year ago this service had a waiting time of over four years but with an investment from pharmaceutical companies, NHS Grampian and in particular our local osteoporosis charity, the Grampian Osteoporosis Trust, the waiting time for urgent cases is now less than two weeks and for routine measurements usually less than four months”
A key message for people of all ages is to engage in appropriate levels of physical activity, eat a balanced diet including calcium rich foods and avoid smoking and alcohol excess. These all play their part in reducing the risk osteoporosis, falls and fractures as well as the more specific treatments which were discussed during the workshop.
The Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative is a unique partnership between the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Scotland through the Scottish Osteoporosis Industry Group.
The aim of the initiative is to assist in the implementation of SIGN 71: Management of Osteoporosis, an evidence based guideline to raise awareness of best practice and to improve patient care where variation exists. The Grampian workshop is one of 12 taking place across Scotland. The initiative was officially launched at a national conference in October 2004.
It is estimated that 3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis, a disease which causes fragile bones that break more easily. It affects one in three women and one in 12 men over the age of 50 but it can affect people of all ages. While bone loss is universal with ageing, sufficient loss resulting in osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of ageing. Osteoporosis is itself clinically silent and doesn’t cause pain until it results in broken bones. Greater awareness, in particular, of the potential for a fracture to signify the presence of underlying osteoporosis should lead to earlier treatment and greater success in reducing the burden of osteoporotic fractures.
For more information on the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative visit www.osteoporosisinscotland.org
ENDS
For more information contact:
Elizabeth Steel, Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative Co-ordinator
Tel: 01698 540111
Notes to Editors:
SIGN
The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network was established in 1993 to improve the effectiveness of clinical care for patients in Scotland. SIGN does this by developing, publishing and disseminating evidence based guidelines for NHS Scotland. SIGN guidelines identify and promote good clinical practice and when implemented locally help to address variations in clinical practice across Scotland. SIGN was established by the Medical Royal Colleges and includes representatives from all the medical specialties; dentistry; nursing; allied health professions; pharmacy; health service managers; social workers and patients. SIGN maintains a comprehensive and user-friendly website. All the guidelines can be easily located and downloaded from www.sign.ac.uk
NOS
The National Osteoporosis Society is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. It offers support to people with osteoporosis and their families through a range of information booklets and a telephone helpline – 0845 450 0230. It has a large network of local support groups across the United Kingdom and works with healthcare professionals to facilitate greater understanding of the needs of people with osteoporosis. The NOS also encourages national governments and local health boards to resource and deliver appropriate services to prevent, diagnose and treat the broken bones due to osteoporosis. For more information visit www.nos.org.uk
ABPI - SOIG
The Scottish Osteoporosis Industry Group (SOIG) was set up in April 2003 under the auspices of the Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), Scotland, to actively promote improved diagnosis and management of osteoporosis through the implementation of SIGN 71: Management of Osteoporosis. The principal aim of SOIG is to work with other interested parties especially the members of the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative to help improve the quality of care given to people with this condition. SOIG works with all relevant local agencies to ensure people with osteoporosis have equitable access to diagnostic facilities and the best available treatments, services and medicines for their condition. SOIG also assists the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative Steering Group in raising the profile and awareness of osteoporosis among all key opinion leaders and policy makers.
Grampian Osteoporosis Trust
The Grampian Osteoporosis Trust is an independent and non-profit making charitable company formed in 1991 a) to prevent and treat osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases for the benefit of the community of the Grampian area, b) to provide a service of bone density measurement for those at risk of osteoporosis and allow repeated measurements of bone mineral density in those with established disease undergoing therapy, c) to provide a focus for the development of a comprehensive programme of research into osteoporosis and d) to encourage public interest in osteoporosis, its prevention and treatment. www.osteoporosisgrampian.org.uk
