Indian Orthopaedics Association Guidelines for Osteoporosis.

Abstract

Introduction: These guidelines provide a comprehensive and practical framework for preventing osteoporosis. They are designed for use by healthcare professionals, including orthopaedic surgeons, primary care physicians, specialists, nurses, and allied health providers, as they work with patients at risk of or already diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Methodology: This iterative process involved multiple questionnaires sent to a panel of 62 osteoporosis and bone health experts. Experts, including clinicians, researchers, and academicians, were selected based on their recognised expertise and contributions to the field of osteoporosis.

Observations: There were 62 medical personnel with experience. The protocol was to get consensus from experts for each round. The set of questions was divided into six rounds. This structured Delphi methodology ensured that the resulting osteoporosis guidelines were evidence based and reflective of expert consensus, providing a robust clinical practice framework.

Results: The guidelines were put up in sections with titles as: prevention of osteoporosis, Screening for osteoporosis, diagnosing osteoporosis, calcium and vitamin D in osteoporosis, microbiome, obesity in osteoporosis, postmenopausal osteoporosis, male osteoporosis. Chronic kidney disease and osteoporosis, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP), therapeutics in osteoporosis, monitoring osteoporosis therapy and osteosarcopenia. Ultimately, all the details obtained in various meetings were analysed, and responses were sought from all the participant members. All such reactions were again grouped back sequentially.

Conclusions: osteoporosis is a significant problem, and many protocols exist in the literature. These guidelines were created by consensus among experts using the Delphi method. They have been developed until current knowledge is available and may be changed in the next 5-6 years, depending on the new research accumulated by that time.