Osteoporosis Treatment Gap - A Systematic Literature Review
Abstract
Introduction: Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease that increases fracture risk, particularly among older adults, and imposes a substantial global burden. Despite advances in risk assessment and treatment, a large treatment gap remains, with many high-risk individuals not receiving care.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of English-language studies published up to April 2025, identified through searches in multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Europe PMC). 43 studies were included. Due to the heterogeneity of study designs and treatment gap definitions, a narrative thematic synthesis was performed.
Results: Reported treatment gap estimates varied widely (38.8-94.6%) across countries and study populations. Lower treatment rates were associated with patient factors (male sex, lower socio-economic status, comorbidities) and healthcare system factors (limited physician awareness, institutional barriers, poor interprofessional communication). Higher treatment rates were associated with older age, family history of osteoporosis, prior diagnosis or bone mineral density testing, and participation in structured care programmes.
Conclusions: Substantial global treatment gaps in osteoporosis care persist, particularly following fragility fractures. These gaps arise from multiple patient, physician, and system-level factors, with persistent disparities by sex, ethnicity, comorbidities, and socio-economic status. Findings highlight the need…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Effectiveness of Bisphosphonates and Denosumab on Risk of Vertebral Fractures in Prostate Cancer Patients Under Androgen Deprivation Therapies: A Real-World Prospective Study
- Osteoporosis-related fractures after spinal cord injury: a retrospective study from Brazil
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and mortality in older men
- Lack of Association between Vitamin D Insufficiency and Cardiovascular or Fracture Risk: A UK Biobank Study
- Muscle strength and body composition are clinical indicators of osteoporosis
- Incidence of bone protection and associated fragility injuries in patients with proximal femur fractures
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.