KKH Inpatient Screening Highlights Poor Osteoporosis Awareness

A proactive screening of inpatients over 70 years old by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital brought to light significant findings about the health and wellness of elderly women in Singapore. Conducted since July 2008, the study highlighted in particular the poor knowledge and awareness of osteoporosis and falls risk.

The screening found that out of 244 women over 70, just 4% were aware or diagnosed with osteoporosis. Yet a geriatric nursing assessment at the hospital found more than half to be at high risk of the condition.

A falls-risk assessment of the same group of women revealed that nearly 70% were at high or moderate risk of falls, which increases the risk of osteoporotic fractures, and related complications. An estimated 800 to 900 hip fractures occur every year due to osteoporosis in Singapore. According to statistics by the International Osteoporosis Foundation, about 1 in 5 out of these died within a year of sustaining an osteoporotic hip fracture and 1 in 3 became wheelchair-bound or bedridden.

Berg Balance Scale: A test used to measure the balance of this group of elderly women by assessing their performance of functional tasks such as ‘sit-to-stand’ and picking up an object from the floor. It is a 14-item scale, scored out of 56 points.

At KKH, patients found to be at high risk for osteoporosis are advised to go for a bone mineral density (BMD) measurement. A vast majority of the patients who took this test were found to need medication, while other patients who were borderline cases were advised to increase calcium and vitamin D intake and exercise regularly.

The study also highlighted that 47% of women patients above 70 years have 1 or 2 co-morbid conditions, and up to 20% of them have more than 5. Hypertension, High Cholesterol and Diabetes Mellitus constituted the most revalent co-morbidities. 

Emphasising the need to address and prevent osteoporosis, Dr Ang Seng Bin, Senior Resident Physician, Ambulatory Geriatric Service said: “The correlation between osteoporosis and fracture is as strong if not stronger than the correlation between hypertension and stroke or hyperlipidemia and heart attack.”



• Others refers to Thyroid Disease, Rheumato & Immuno Disease, Respiratory Disease, and Osteoartritis

The KKH Inpatient Screening Programme The inpatient screening programme at KKH assesses patients for various age-related conditions, including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, dementia, osteoporosis and falls risk. The 45-minute assessment also draws attention to specific health and care issues a patient faces, enabling appropriate follow-up for diagnosis, treatment, discharge-planning or care-planning. With effect from February 2009, the screening has been extended to include all inpatients above 65 years.