Temporal change in the diagnosis and treatment rates of osteoporosis: results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

SUMMARY: To compare the diagnosis andtreatment rates of osteoporosis and diabetes in Korea, a nationwide database was used. The results showed that although osteoporosis management is improving, it is still lower compared with that of diabetes; thus, further efforts are needed in this regard. INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to re-evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis from the KNHANES 2016–2017 and compare the temporal change of the rate with those of diabetes as another prevalent chronic disease in South Korea. METHODS: The prevalence of osteoporosis in 2016 was estimated using the previous data classified by age groups (50–59,60–69, and ≥70years) and the 2016 Korean census data. The physician diagnosis and treatment rates of osteoporosis in adults aged ≥50years were estimated using the 2016–2017 KNHANES data. The physician diagnosis and treatment rates of diabetes were evaluated using the KNHANES 2008–2009 and 2016–2017 data. RESULTS: The estimated physician diagnosisrate of osteoporosis increased from 29.9% in females and 5.8% in males in 2008–2009 to 62.8% in females and 22.8% in males in 2016–2017. The treatment rate for the estimated total number of patients with osteoporosis increased from 14.4% in females and 3.8% in males in 2008–2009 to 32.2% in females and 9.0% in males in 2016–2017. An increasing trend in the estimated treatment rateof physician-diagnosed osteoporosis patients was not observed (48.3% [2008–2009] vs 51.5% [2016–2017] in females; 42.6% [2008–2009] vs 42.2% [2016–2017] in males). The physician diagnosis and treatment rates of diabetes were considerably better and more stable than those of osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis management in South Korea is improving but is insufficient compared with diabetes management. More extensive efforts are needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment rates of osteoporosis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00198-021-05864-z.