India Tackles Bone Brittle Epidemic with New Scorecard

Osteoporosis, a condition causing brittle bones, affects an estimated 22.9% of Indian adults, with an annual economic impact of ₹14,000-20,000 crore. The Osteoporosis Society of India (OSI), in collaboration with Sun Pharma, has introduced a Bone Health Score Card. This tool is part of the 'Why Wait? Till It Breaks' initiative, designed to aid healthcare professionals in initial osteoporosis risk assessments.

The Bone Health Score Card is a rotating wheel that evaluates eight parameters, including age, BMI, family history, smoking, and steroid use. Each parameter yields points, contributing to a total score that categorizes individuals into risk levels from low to very high. A history of fragility fracture automatically places a person in the very-high-risk category, regardless of their total score. The scorecard is intended for preliminary screening, with further investigations like DXA scans recommended for those identified as high-risk.

The OSI aims to familiarize general practitioners and private practitioners with the tool through phased rollouts, with plans for digital and public availability by early December 2026. The screening tool boasts a sensitivity and specificity of over 95%. While it aims to make risk assessment more accessible, a low score does not rule out osteoporosis, and further clinical assessment is crucial for diagnosis and treatment guidance.