CME on Osteoporosis

HR Singha *

Osteoporosis is often regarded as a disease of post-menopausal women. Its importance in males and younger females is usually neglected.

Few years back the medical community generally regards it as a part of aging process and this disease does not usually receive its due attention. A grand CME (Continuing Medical Education) on Osteoporosis was concluded at RIMS Imphal on 19th December 2009 in Manipur.

The CME was organized by Association of Physicians of India Manipur State Chapter and hosted by
Dr. Salam Ranabir, DM (Endocrinology) All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (first Endocrinologist of Manipur) and
Dr. Achouba, DM (Endocrinology) from AIIMS, New Delhi.

The president of Indian Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ISBMR), Dr. RK Marwaha (Addl. Director), Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, delivered a talk on 'Vitamin D and Bone mineral density status in India'. He presented in details the available data on Indian subjects and various effects of Vitamin D other than its effect on Bone Mineral Density.

Dr. Rajesh Khadgawat, Associate Professor, Endocrinology, AIIMS, New Delhi, also delivered a talk on 'Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis'. The speakers stressed the importance of Vitamin D.

The CME was attended by several prominent Physicians, Orthopedic Surgeons, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physicians, and Gynaecologists from both Government and Private sectors but no Pediatrician were present. There was also a DM (Endocrinology) student from Guwahati Medical College who came all the way to Imphal to attend the CME.

The importance of supplementation of Vitamin D3 was discussed in detail on this CME. A major question comes on the matter of Bone Mineral Density estimation. The gold standard method for the diagnosis of osteoporosis according to WHO (World Health organization) criteria is DXA (Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry).

At present in Manipur not a single DXA machine is available which hampers the diagnosis and treatment and also any research plans. The importance of the DXA was stressed by Dr. Rajesh Khadgawat during his deliberation.

Measurement of serum Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels and bone mass by non invasive imaging techniques like DXA, have led to a plethora of data regarding various factors responsible for bone mineral health from various countries including India.

So, the learned audience appraised the need to have DXA in Manipur. There was good interaction among the speakers and the audience. Everyone particularly the Post-graduate students were immensely impressed by the presentation and the interaction and expressed their desire to attend many such CMEs in future.

The benefit of organizing such CME with experts in the field was expressed by many present. Dr. Salam Ranabir & Dr. Ksh. Achouba Singh have made a big contribution by hosting this kind of medical education in Manipur with speakers from outside the state including the national president of ISBMR.