Oahu women who have had fractures after age 45 may receive free evaluations for osteoporosis at Longs Drug Stores through May 17. Free osteoporosis
evaluations offeredBy Helen Altonn
Star-BulletinOsteoporosis is a condition in which depletion of calcium and bone protein causes thinning of bones and leads to fractures.
The Hawaii Osteoporosis Foundation is conducting the evaluations in partnership with Longs Drug Stores and Radiant Research Honolulu. They will include bone density testing and information sessions.
Dr. Richard Wasnich, foundation president, medical director at Radiant Research and University of Hawaii clinical professor of medicine, will meet with women to review test results at the foundation facility, 401 Kamakee St.
The foundation also said it will collaborate with the Medical Corner Clinics in Kailua, Aiea and Waipahu to make result sessions as convenient as possible.
Women who can't make it to Longs for bone density screening can call 592-2642 for an appointment at the foundation.
"We're trying to reach as many people as possible," a spokeswoman said.
The evaluation program is prompted by recent studies in Hawaii and on the mainland that show a large majority of women with severe osteoporosis aren't being treated.
Women receive care for hip or wrist fractures, but only 20 percent receive medications to prevent future fractures, according to the studies.
A woman who has had one fracture is at extremely high risk for more fractures, regardless of where the first one occurred, Wasnich said.
In an article distributed by Medical Information Services Inc., he said two risk factors are of particular value among post-menopausal women in identifying high risks for osteoporosis: Low bone mineral density and prevalent fractures.
But many women who suffer wrist fractures don't think of osteoporosis as a contributing factor, Wasnich said.
The issue of osteoporosis isn't likely to be addressed by a physician unless the patient asks about it, he said.
Thus, he said, "Public education can be an important tool, conveying the simple message that a broken bone as an adult probably indicates the presence of osteoporosis and requires medical evaluation and treatment."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a number of new treatments in the past decade and promising new drugs are in research, he said.
Screenings will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following Longs Drug Stores:
>> April 10, Manoa; April 12, Pali; April 14, Kamehameha; April 17, Moiliili; April 19, Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center; April 21, Kailua; April 24, Windward City Shopping Center; April 21, Kailua; April 24, Windward City Shopping Center; April 26, Pearlridge; April 28, Town Center of Mililani; May 1, Ewa Town Center; May 3, Waianae; May 8, downtown; May 10, Kahala; May 12, Salt Lake; May 15, Kaimuki; May 17, Hawaii Kai.