Seasonal Variation and Global Public Interest in the Internet Searches for Osteoporosis

Background. To ascertain the seasonal pattern and global public interest in osteoporosis by evaluating search term popularity changes of the disease over a decade. Methods. We applied Google Trends to retrieve search popularity scores for the term “osteoporosis” between January 01, 2004, and December 31, 2019. Cosinor analyses were conducted to examine the seasonality of osteoporosis, and analysis on osteoporosis-related topics including hot topics and rising-related topics was also performed. Results. The cosinor analyses demonstrated a statistically significant seasonal variation in relative search volume of the “osteoporosis” in the world ( p = 0.0083 ), USA ( p < 0.001 ), UK ( p < 0.001 ), Canada ( p < 0.001 ), Ireland ( p < 0.001 ), Australia ( p < 0.001 ), and New Zealand ( p < 0.001 ), with a peak in the late winter months and trough in the summer months. The peaks in late winter and valley in summer presented an approximately 6-month difference between hemispheres. The top 11 rising topics were denosumab, FRAX, hypocalcaemia, zoledronic acid, ibandronic acid, osteomyelitis, osteopenia, osteoarthritis, bone, calcium, and bone density. Conclusions. Google search query volumes related to osteoporosis follow strong seasonal patterns with late winter peaks and summer troughs. Further studies aimed at elucidating the possible mechanisms behind seasonality in osteoporosis are needed. Moreover, Internet data including the top rising topics may alert physicians to strengthen the propaganda of osteoporosis timely, so as to further promote the development of public health interventions.

Qualification in the field of osteoporosis treatment in doctors working in the field of physical and rehabilitation medicine

Introduction. The special rehabilitation programs are often required for patients with osteoporosis (OP). So physicians working in the field of physical and rehabilitation medicine should be well-versed in this problem.Aims. To study the awareness of doctors of rehabilitation medicine in the field of diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and their activity in providing medical care to patients with OP.Materials and methods. A questionnaire survey of 157 doctors (M-34, F-123) of 8 medical specialties working in 27 specialized medical institutions on the profile of “medical rehabilitation” was carried out. The questionnaire for doctors consisted of 21 items of special questions.Results and discussion. In the sample of rehabilitation doctors, 90.45% of the interviewed doctors believed that the problem of OP is relevant for their clinical activities, 100% of the respondents indicated that the presence of OP significantly affects the rehabilitation prognosis and 95.54% - on the degree of effectiveness of medical rehabilitation. According to the respondents, patients with OP make up on average 30.0% [20.0; 50.0] (0-90) of the total flow of patients. Endocrinologists (all surveyed doctors - 100%), obstetricians - gynecologists (66.67%) and therapists (60%) are mainly involved in the treatment of OP. Most often, specialists from rehabilitation institutions recommend zoledronic acid (23.57% of doctors indicated in this aspect), preparations of vitamin D (23.57%) and calcium (14.65%), various methods of physical therapy (14.65%) and parenteral form of ibandronic acid (12.74%).Conclusions. The presence of OP significantly affects the rehabilitation prognosis and the effectiveness of medical rehabilitation. 23.57% of specialists in the field of rehabilitation medicine prescribe treatment for OP to patients, giving preference to parenteral bisphosphonates, vitamin D, calcium and physical exercises.