Dr Paul Scott
CEO, IBEX Innovations Ltd
Penny Lewis
Osteoporosis Lead, Royal Cornwall Trust
Pilot shows that osteoporosis can be identified before a fracture, saving pain and suffering.
Osteoporosis, defined as low bone density, impacts one in three women and one in five men over 50.1 Sufferers risk broken bones from minor trips or falls, and for most, this is the first time they become aware of their condition. Many suffer multiple fractures before receiving a diagnosis and treatment, risking painful recoveries and a loss of independence.
Waiting for failure is failing patients
Medical journalist and osteoporosis sufferer, Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE, describes this as ‘waiting for failure’ — something that would be unthinkable for other conditions. We don’t wait for a heart attack before treating high blood pressure. Why wait for a broken hip before addressing fragile bones?
New guidelines give us
clear treatment options.
Things are beginning to change
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust is piloting DensityScanTM, a new tool which automatically assesses bone health during a routine X-ray.
The software, developed by North East-based IBEX Innovations and delivered through Agfa Radiology Solutions, is already having an impact. Osteoporosis Lead Penny Lewis commented: “Whatever the outcome, patients benefit, whether it’s reassurance that their bones are normal or early treatment and advice if they’re at risk. Either way, they get personalised care sooner.”
In a recent example, a patient was identified to be at a very high risk of fracture. The patient did not display any outward signs of osteoporosis and had not previously suffered a fracture. Lewis and the Fracture Liaison Service she leads were able to confirm the patient’s osteoporosis and begin a course of treatment to lower her risk of fracture.
Personalised, risk-based care
The Cornwall pilot shows how personalised medicine can improve osteoporosis care. Instead of reacting to a fracture, patients can be proactively assessed and offered earlier, tailored support. For some, this may be simple lifestyle changes. For more severe cases, Lewis notes: “New guidelines give us clear treatment options, and DensityScan allows us to spot the people who need them most, before they suffer the consequences of this silent disease.”
