On October 19, 2024, the Nevyansk Central Regional Hospital's polyclinic hosted World Osteoporosis Day under the slogan "Say NO to Fragile Bones!" The event aimed to raise public awareness about osteoporosis and conduct diagnostic activities for the early detection of the disease.
A significant highlight was the presence of Lyudmila Evstigneeva, the chief freelance rheumatologist of the Ministry of Health of the Sverdlovsk region. She ceremoniously presented DenisVolkov, the chief physician of Nevyansk Central Regional Hospital, with a certificate of compliance with the bronze standard from the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). This certificate confirms the high level of work by the Nevyansk Fracture Prevention Service, which became the first in the Sverdlovsk region to receive such an award. Denis Volkov acknowledged the achievements of the prevention team, emphasizing their high professionalism and dedication.
As part of the event, a Patient School was organized where residents of Nevyansk learned about the causes and consequences of osteoporosis, as well as modern approaches to treatment and prevention. Participants had the opportunity to ask specialists questions, undergo a one-minute osteoporosis screening, and receive personalized recommendations.
The event became an important initiative to raise awareness about bone health. Those who could not attend but are at risk (age 50 and over, history of fractures after age 50) can make an appointment with the osteoporosis specialist of the Nevyansk Fracture Prevention Service, Vera Kondakova, for examination and further recommendations.
Some important facts about osteoporosis:
- Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become brittle and break easily, even with minor trauma or without it.
- Worldwide, one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will experience a fracture caused by osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis is "invisible"—there are no visible signs or symptoms until a bone breaks.
- Fractures associated with osteoporosis most commonly occur in the wrist, humerus, hip neck, vertebrae, but fractures of other bones can also happen.
- Fractures related to osteoporosis can have serious consequences: chronic pain, reduced mobility and self-care ability, decreased height, development of a stooped back, and recurrent fractures often occur after the first one.
- There are simple tools for assessing the presence of osteoporosis—the FRAX calculator can estimate fracture risk in just a few minutes.
- Today, there are several effective medications for the treatment of osteoporosis.
