Episode 57. Metabolic Bone Disease with Dr Ie-Wen Sim
Metabolic bone disease is common, it is estimated that about 4.75 million Australians have either osteopenia or osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects up to 23% of women and 6% of men over the age of 50 with a markedly increased risk of minimal trauma fractures including hip fracture with increased morbidity and mortality. Osteoporosis is characterised by microscopic architectural deterioration of bone structure, loss of bone mass and a change in bone metabolism and can be confirmed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA scan). Until recently 70-85% of patients presenting with a minimal trauma fracture have tended to be both under investigated for osteopenia and osteoporosis, nor appropriately managed to prevent a further fracture. Metabolic bone disease is a silent epidemic.
We are joined today by Dr Ie-Wen Sim who is an endocrinologist and andrologist with special interests including clinical andrology, reproductive endocrinology and metabolic bone disease. He is a graduate of the University of Melbourne with first class honours and the recipient of the NHMRC post graduate scholarship for osteoporosis research. In this conversation Ie-Wen covers:
· Incidence and aetiology of metabolic bone disease
· Comorbidities and risk factors including medications
· Diagnosis
· Medical interventions including use of anabolic and antiresorptive therapies
I hope you enjoy this fascinating conversation with Ie-Wen.
Useful references include:
To be a guest on the show or provide some feedback, I’d love to hear from you: manager@gihealth.com.au
Dr Luke Crantock MBBS, FRACP, is a gastroenterologist in practice for over 25 years. He is the founder of The Centre for GI Health, based in Melbourne Australia and is passionate about educating General Practitioners and patients on disease prevention and how to manage and improve their digestive health.