The Pivotal Role of Consultant Physicians in the Early Screening, Diagnosis, and Management of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis: An Expert Opinion

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are highly prevalent yet underdiagnosed metabolic bone conditions in India, contributing significantly to healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality.While approximately one-fifth of Indian adults suffer from osteoporosis, nearly half present with osteopenia, frequently undiagnosed when an unexpected fragility fracture occurs.Consultant Physicians (CPs) serve as the primary point of contact for these patients and are uniquely positioned to spearhead early screening, diagnosis, and preventative interventions.Continued efforts to strengthen awareness among healthcare providers and patients, alongside broader access to screening and diagnostic tools, could facilitate earlier identification and timely intervention.This expert opinion paper emphasizes real-world clinical insights from senior CPs across India, integrating contemporary evidence to outline gaps in screening feasibility and primary care management.It underscores an urgent need to reposition metabolic bone health as a fundamental primary care priority and to empower CPs to lead targeted screening initiatives to facilitate early identification of individuals with osteopenia who have an elevated fracture risk and support timely interventions to prevent fragility fractures and further bone loss.