Spain finds most women with fragility fractures undiagnosed for osteoporosis

A survey presented at Spain's 24th National Meeting on Women’s Health and Medicine found that 64.5% of women who suffered a fragility fracture had not been diagnosed with osteoporosis. The condition affects about 22% of Spanish women and 6.8% of men over 50. The study, conducted with 934 participants (average age 62), showed only 5% received an osteoporosis diagnosis after their fracture.

More than half of respondents said their doctors did not explain preventive measures, and 72% left the consultation with unanswered questions. Among those diagnosed, 45% reported not being informed about available medications and 56% were unaware of the benefits and risks of treatment. Experts, including Dr. Santiago Palacios, emphasized that "osteoporosis is a silent disease" and called for early screening, especially for post‑menopausal women, and the establishment of fracture coordination units to improve diagnosis and multidisciplinary care.

The findings highlight significant gaps in patient education and treatment, with 49.5% of fracture patients reporting daily life limitations and increased risk of depression, underscoring the need for better preventive strategies and public awareness.