Bone density tests can diagnose
osteoporosis before a fracture occurs.
Image: iStockphoto
Many Australians at risk of the bone condition osteoporosis are not getting the bone density tests that could pick up the problem.
The findings were presented on 23 March 2009 at an international bone health meeting in Sydney.
Researchers examined Medicare claims for bone density testing, which is the gold standard in detecting osteoporosis.
Medicare claims in 2005 suggest that men in major cities were almost five times less likely than women to have a bone density test. Whilst bone health problems in men are somewhat less common than in women it still appears that large numbers of men at risk of fractures are missing out on the bone scans.
Researcher Dr Tania Winzenberg, presenting at the Sydney meeting, said "We are failing to pick up those individuals who have already had a minor fracture. This is the group that has the most to gain from osteoporosis treatment.
In April 2007 the government widened the Medicare rebate for bone health assessment such that all Australians over 70 years old are now eligible for bone density testing.
The research analysis also highlighted low levels of bone density testing amongst both men and women in rural and remote areas.
Despite the recent Medicare changes Dr Dan Ewald said "the barriers to bone health assessment in men and rural populations are likely to remain. These include access to a general practitioner, competing primary care issues and the availability of scanners Perhaps above all the issue remains that many professionals and patients still see osteoporosis as a women's health issue."
The findings have been published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.
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