TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC PATTERN OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN BANGLADESH

Osteoporosis is defined as low bone density with micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility and increased fracture risk. Knowing the treatment pattern of osteoporosis is imperative in achieving better health outcomes. Thus the purpose of our study was to assess the treatment pattern of osteoporosis in 8 different medical colleges and hospitals in Bangladesh situated in 2 different districts, Dhaka and Comilla between the periods of September 2015 to April 2016. A pre-designed questionnaire was given to 107 doctors in the hospitals and data was collected on sociodemographic and professional characteristics of the participating physicians along with their learning opportunities and different parameters of treatment and diagnosis. Majority of doctors, 89.7% had internet access at work place for getting updated on osteoporosis, 84.1% attended specialized osteoporosis programs but only 63.6% had subscription in medical journal or website, Around 58.9% practitioners used guidelines for osteoporosis and a greater percentage of doctors, 15.1% preferred bisphosphonates for treatment of osteoporosis. Preferred diagnostic tool was dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry among the majority study population, around 25.4%. Gaps in knowledge of practitioners must be identified and measures must be taken accordingly for a better infrastructure of healthcare system in Bangladesh.