Gill, T.Taylor, A.Hill, C.Phillips, P.2013-03-272013-03-272012Bone & Joint Research, 2012; 1(5):93-982046-37582046-3758http://hdl.handle.net/2440/76283Objectives: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of self-reported osteoporosis compared with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) defined osteoporosis, and to describe medication use among participants with the condition. Methods: Data were obtained from a population-based longitudinal study and assessed for the prevalence of osteoporosis, falls, fractures and medication use. DXA scans were also undertaken. Results: Overall 3.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.2 to 4.5) of respondents and 8.8% (95% CI 7.5 to 10.3) of those aged ≥ 50 years reported that they had been diagnosed with osteoporosis by a doctor. The sensitivity (those self-reporting osteoporosis and having low bone mineral density (BMD) on DXA) was low (22.7%), although the specificity was high (94.4%). Only 16.1% of those aged ≥ 50 years and with DXA-defined osteoporosis were taking bisphosphonates. Conclusions: The sensitivity of self-reporting to identify osteoporosis is low. Anti-osteoporotic medications are an important part of osteoporosis treatment but opportunities to use appropriate medications were missed and inappropriate medications were used.en©2012 British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attributions licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, but not for commercial gain, provided the original author and source are credited.OsteoporosisPopulationBisphosphonatesBone mineral densityBMDSelf-reportingJournal article002012065710.1302/2046-3758.15.20000390002091397000042-s2.0-8494352812423888Gill, T. [0000-0002-2822-2436]Taylor, A. [0000-0002-4422-7974]Hill, C. [0000-0001-8289-4922]