OSTEOPOROSIS
Definition
This topic refers primarily to those ever told by a doctor or nurse they have osteoporosis or osteopenia (a mild loss of bone mass density that may progress to osteoporosis).
Population
Information was obtained for all persons aged 15 years and over, and selected persons aged less than 15 years who reported they currently have gout, rheumatism or arthritis, in the 2014-15 NHS.
Methodology
Information about osteoporosis/osteopenia was first published in the National Health Survey: First Results, 2014-15 based on a sample of 15,396 people aged 15 years and over . Additional information relating to actions and medications taken for osteoporosis was also published in Health Service Usage and Health related Actions, Australia, 2014-15.
Respondents aged 15 years and over, and those aged less than 15 who reported having gout, rheumatism or arthritis, were asked whether they had ever been told by a doctor or nurse that they had osteoporosis, osteopenia or both, and if so, the age they were first told. All cases reported were assumed to be current and long-term.
Respondents were then asked whether they had taken any of the following actions for their osteoporosis/osteopenia in the last 2 weeks (shown on a prompt card):
- Did weight/strength/resistance training
- Obtained and/or used physical aids (used at home or work)
- Water therapy
- Massage
- Changed eating pattern/diet
- Losing weight
- Exercised most days
- Other action taken.
More than one response was allowed.
All respondents with osteoporosis/osteopenia, as well as all remaining respondents aged 50 years and over, were then asked whether they had ever had their bone density tested, and if so, whether it had been tested in the last 2 years.
Respondents who reported having osteoporosis, osteopenia or both were
sequenced to the
Actions module where they were asked about consultations with health professionals, use of medical facilities and time away from study/school or work, in relation to, or as a result of, their osteoporosis/osteopenia.
Respondents were asked in a later module about all medications and health supplements that they were taking, but not in relation to any specific condition.
Data items
The data items and related output categories for this topic are available in Excel spreadsheet format from the
Downloads page of this product.
Interpretation
Points to be considered in interpreting data for this topic include the following:
- The currency and long-term nature of the condition were assumed. While this is appropriate for the nature of this condition, it differs conceptually from the approach used for most other conditions covered in the survey.
- Those cases of osteoporosis reported through the 'Long-term conditions' module, rather than the 'Osteoporosis' module, have not necessarily been diagnosed by a doctor or nurse. These respondents are identified by their conditions status of 4: Not known or not ever told, but condition current and long-term.
- Because this is a household based survey, those people with osteoporosis or osteopenia resident in hospitals, nursing or convalescent homes or similar accommodation are outside the scope of this survey.
Comparability with 2011-12
Osteoporosis data are considered directly comparable between the 2014-15 and 2011-12 NHS.
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