Osteoporosis, a looming condition without apparent clinical presentation, is one of the most significant health issues in post-menopausal women and elderlies, which may severely threaten the quality of life and the survival of patients because of fracture induced by minor traumas and other complications. According to the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT 2004-2008), the bone density study showed that the prevalence of femoral neck osteoporosis in individuals aged over 50 was 10.7% for men, and 12.1% for women.
The prevalence increased to 22.57% and 41.17% respectively, when osteoporosis was defined as detected in one or more of the following sites: lumbar spine, femoral neck and forearm.
In the developed countries such as the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (U.K.), there were efforts in developing clinical practice guidelines. International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) in 2010, National Osteoporosis Society of U.K. in 2008 and Osteoporosis Society of Singapore in 2009 all introduced new clinical practice guidelines for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. They all subject to routine revision based on the most recent medical evidence. Most importantly, modern evidence-based medicine is incorporated into these guidelines to provide references for health care professionals in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. To build a trustworthy clinical guideline for osteoporosis, the Bureau of Health Promotion provided funding and guidance to National Health Research Institutes in organizing a multidisciplinary team. The team includes healthcare professionals in orthopaedics, gynecology/obstetrics, family medicine, endocrinology, metabolism, rheumatology and immunology, neurosurgery and rehabilitation.
The team conducted literature search, systematic review and appraisal for guideline development, and to furthermore cover wide context from pathophysiology, epidemiology to diagnosis, follow-up, non-medication and medication approaches of prevention and treatment. Practical clinical recommendations and treatments were then inducted for the compilation of credible osteoporosis practice guidelines.
On the eve of printout, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the compilation team for their diligence and devotion to the project. Lastly, it is expected this guideline will provide good reference to healthcare professionals in the prevention, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, and ultimately improve quality in prevention of osteoporosis in Taiwan.