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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, as well as children aged 0-14 years who reported selected conditions in the Arthritis module.

Methodology

Respondents 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. Respondents with osteoporosis or osteopenia were assumed to have the condition long-term.

Data items

The questionnaire, data items and related output categories for this topic are available in pdf / 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 'Other 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.