A major 26-year study led by researchers at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and St Camillus Hospital has recorded a sharp decline in osteoporosis levels among patients presenting for bone-density assessments in the Mid-West and Munster regions. Published in the journal Archives of Osteoporosis, the retrospective study analyzed initial Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan results from 66,681 individuals across Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary between January 1998 and December 2024.

The findings show that the prevalence of osteoporosis at the hip dropped from approximately 19 per cent in 1998 to 7 per cent in 2024. At the lumbar spine, the proportion of patients showing osteoporotic bone loss fell even more significantly, decreasing from roughly 30 per cent to 8 per cent over the same period. Researchers noted that each calendar year was associated with a consistent reduction in the odds of presenting with osteoporosis, even after adjusting for age and scan volume.

Medical researchers at UHL and the Research Directorate of HSE Mid-West suggested that the sustained drop points to a broader improvement in baseline skeletal health across successive generations. The research team noted that if the trend continues, future cohorts of older adults may face a reduced overall burden of bone disease, which could help temper projected healthcare demands associated with an ageing population.

However, clinical experts cautioned that reduced osteoporosis prevalence does not automatically guarantee a proportional decline in fractures. Dr Azrin Muslim of the Research Directorate at St Camillus Hospital stated that while the results reflect healthier bones at presentation, hip-fracture risks remain heavily influenced by falls, general frailty, and other clinical factors. Researchers stressed that ongoing monitoring and preventative care remain vital.