THE PREVALENCE of osteoporosis or the ‘bone thinning’ disease which leaves you prone to fractures and dislocation, is on the rise in the Capital.

Sedentary lifestyle, a thin diet, minimum exposure to sunlight, especially in slums and a genetic predisposition are some of the reasons why more people are suffering from the disease.

Two informal studies by two doctors, one serving with the Ramlal Kundanlal Bone and Joint (RKBJ) Hospital and the other with Sir Gangaram Hospital, have thrown up alarming statistics.

Dr. Chetan Chopra of Gangaram Hospital, who also runs a ‘bone densitometry’ clinic, recently presented a paper on 1642 people who came in for the test.

“The people were divided into age groups, starting from 20 to over 70. Only 652 persons were found to be normal. The rest had weak bones. The majority was of post-menopausal women, above 45 years. Another alarming find was that in the 20-30 and 31-40 age groups, over 40 percent were suffering it” says DR. Chopra.

RKJB’s Dr. Sushil Sharma – who is also the president of the Arthritis Foundation of India, has found a similar tend in two camps he held in Daryaganj.

“ More than 600 men and women had come to the camp for free densitometry. One of two women and one man out of four had weak bones, making fractures inevitable even after minor falls,” Dr. Sharma says.

“The disease occurs when bone and mineral metabolism of the body is affected. In post- menopausal women it happens as their hormone levels come down drastically. In recent times, more such women start developing this problem” says Dr. Neeru Gera, senior endocrinologist with Max Health Care.
Dr. Sharma says less exposure to sunlight is another reason for the disease to strike.

Doc Feels It In His Bones                                                                                                     It's India's secret malady - osteoporosis - that bothers him. Or rather, the elitism of its cure.

In the hierarchy of diseases, much of our attention has been consumed by AIDS, polio or tuberculosis. Osteoporosis is undoubtedly on the backburner. Yet the true picture of this malady of the bones is very grim. According to WHO figures, one out of eight males and one out of three females in India suffers from osteoporosis, making India one of the largest affected countries in the world. The disease weakens the bones and in many cases even causes fatal disabilities. But if detected early, it can be treated. Often it’s the underprivileged who falls prey due to severe malnutrition and low calcium intake. Orthopaedic care is costly, making it difficult if not outright impossible for many to avail of treatment. Government hospitals treating orthopaedic cases are overworked and hence it is often impossible for the poor to get succour. This ‘perpetual crisis’ is what prompted Dr Sushil Sharma, an orthopaedic surgeon, to start awareness camps and free weekly OPDS in east and central Delhi.
		ORTHOSHASTRA: Dr. Sushil Sharmar examines a patient at his OPD in East Delhi

The Arthritis Foundation of India (AFI) was formed in September 2001. In the first year, Sharma examined some 100 patients a week rendering free advice and medicines to the needy. His bore fruit when the WHO-affiliated International Osteoporosis Foundation granted recognition to his NGO in 2002. Sharma is faced with medical challenges almost everyday since most of his patients are working class people. “With nutritional levels abysmally low, their treatment can be a complex process,” he says.

Osteoporosis-related injury is not visible and often tends to hamper professional performance. For men, it means fewer mandays at work, shrinking employment and earning capacities. For women, it becomes ardous to handle dual workloads at home and work. According to Sharma, six out of every ten fractures and bone injuries in India are caused by osteoporosis. “Contrary to our assumption, trauma (accidents) is not the main cause of serious injuries. It is weak bones that cause it. Trauma accounts for barely 40 percent of injuries,” he says.

Sharma says his biggest success has been the awareness camps where clinical examination and free medicines are offered to the patients. These camps have done their bit in addressing the needs of thousands who cannot afford the expensive medication. Sharma says he sources his medicines and expensive equipment from pharmaceutical companies. “As a doctor, I get a lot free samples which I regularly plough into our camps. We have to make periodic appeals to drug manufactures who have thus far responded generously when they are informed that the camps are free and for a charitable cause,” says Sharma. In addition, literature on bone health is provided. Besides, all camps also include detailed exhibitions on how best to counter osteoporosis.

In India, resort to osteoporosis therapy remains largely the preserve of the rich as private clinics and nursing homes eagerly solicit this expanding ‘market’. Given the magnitude of the problem, Sharma says, it is important that the government recognizes osteoporosis as a priority disease. In the West, there is a growing awareness of bone disease. Australia, for instance, has put osteoporosis on its list of national priority disease. Sharma hopes India will follow suit. He believes that a consolidated effort is necessary to deal with the situation. “There is no doubt that more agencies have to get involved because it is way beyond the means of anyone NGO to deliver the goods,” he says. Sharma can be contacted at: Arthritis Foundation of India, 429, Pocket E, Mayur Vihar-Phase II, New Delhi 110091. Tel: 9810113828/ 22732895. 

Bone Health Camp’ Inaugurated In Capital

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, January 5 

A free ‘Bone Health Camp’ was inaugurated by Mr. Devendra Raj Ankur, Director, National School of Drama, at the Yoga Hall this morning. The four-hour camp was organized by the Arthritis Foundation of India to create awareness and provide treatment to osteoporosis patients. Over 150 visitors and patients were checked up at the camp.

Both advice and treatment was given to the visitors. The camp was conducted under Dr Sushil Sharma, Bone and Joint. Specialist, R K Hospital, Patparganj, along with other doctors.

Among the visitors who underwent checkup for osteoporosis were NSD director, Mr. Ankur and faculty members Prof. Harsh Sharma and Prof K Jani. Several students of NSDs also visited the camp.

The Arthritis Foundation of India has undertaken awareness campaign in an endeavour to prevent the disease from spreading and educate people about its consequences.

Bones become fragile and weak in osteoporosis, which make them prone to fracture. Both men and women are affected: one man in eight an one woman in three are affected by osteoporosis. Hormonal changes in the body over 45 years cause this bone disease in one out of two women. The disease in spreading fast in India. It has already taken the form of an epidemic.
AFI holds the view that osteoporosis should be included in the National Health Programme on the lines of Australia.

Europe is soon expected to follow suit. Inclusion of the disease in NHP by the government will automatically change the threat perception. Though doctors can diagnose the disease, they do no take it seriously. There should be a countrywide awareness and treatment campaign from hospitals to public health centers in villages. It is through this kind of awareness and NHP that uncontrollable disease like TB, Malaria, and AIDS are being fought effectively.

Similar steps should be taken to combat osteoporosis also before it becomes too late.
Dr Sharma says that osteoporosis causes fragility and brittleness of bones and six out of ten fractures were due to it. At the camp, a photo exhibition was also set up for better understanding and information about the disease. The various charts explained how bones become brittle, what should be the diet and what is the best exercise regime to prevent incidence of the disease. Women were specially advised to visit these camps because they were more vulnerable to osteoporosis.

NATIONAL HERALD
 New Delhi, Tuesday, January 6, 2004 

Many visit bone health camp 
Herald News Service

HT, South Delhi Live
Bone check-up camp at NSD
HT Live Correspondent  

DELHI
THE TRIBUNE, NOIDA, SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 
Camp held to spread awareness about osteoporosis