Researchers find 'substantial' drop in number of Irish people developing osteoporosis

The proportion of patients with this disease in the lower back dropped from 30.2% to 8.4%.

Far fewer people are developing osteoporosis in Ireland and these “substantial improvements” in bone health could help people live longer, Irish researchers said.

There were two-thirds fewer people diagnosed with osteoporosis over nearly three decades, according to analysis of bone scans from over 66,000 people in Limerick hospitals. 

This “substantial” change could cut the number of older people breaking bones including hips, the study concluded. 

Over 26 years up to 2024, the proportion of people with osteoporosis in the hip fell from 19.4% to 7.4%. The proportion of patients with this disease in the lower back dropped from 30.2% to 8.4%.

The researchers said this remained the case even after differences in age or gender or number of scans were accounted for in that time.

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that weakens bones, making them more likely to break. A DEXA scan assesses bone density. The patients were attending University Hospital Limerick and St Camillus Hospital, also in Limerick.

Dr Azrin Muslim, the lead author who works at the Research Directorate in St Camillus Hospital, said it is not yet clear why rates are dropping.

However, he said: “Greater awareness of bone health and a stronger focus on fracture prevention are possible factors worth exploring.” 

He advised regular weight-bearing exercise, getting enough calcium and Vitamin D, avoiding smoking and excess drinking for bone health. 

Co-author was Professor Declan Lyons, who is also HSE director of research in Limerick. He described the drop in diagnosis as “substantial” now.

“It raises important questions about whether people are reaching older age with better bone health than previous generations, and what that could mean for the future,” he said.

He called on doctors to see bone health as part of healthy ageing, and ensure people at risk for osteoporosis get the right supports. They also said the reduced rate of osteoporosis could affect future estimates for broken bones. 

“If sustained, these trends may temper projected fracture burden, with implications for prevention strategies and health-system planning,” the study said.

An estimated 300,000 men and women live with this debilitating condition here, according to the Irish Osteoporosis Society. 

The study Secular trends in osteoporosis prevalence at first presentation over 26 years in a regional Irish DEXA registry is in the Archives of Osteoporosis journal.