Perceived health status
People aged 45 and over with osteoporosis had lower self-assessed health status than people without the condition—based on self-reported data from the ABS 2017–18 National Health Survey (NHS). People with osteoporosis were 2.7 times as likely to describe their health as poor (15%) compared with those without the condition (5.4%) (Figure 1).

Note: Rates are age-standardised to the Australian population as at 30 June 2001.
Source: AIHW analysis of ABS 2019 (Data table).
Pain
In 2017–18, more than half of people with osteoporosis aged 45 and over (57%) experienced ‘moderate’ to ‘very severe’ pain in the last 4 weeks. People with osteoporosis were 2.3 times as likely to experience severe or very severe bodily pain in the last 4 weeks (23%) compared with those without the condition (10%) (Figure 2).

(a) Bodily pain experienced in the 4 weeks prior to interview.
Note: Rates are age-standardised to the Australian population as at 30 June 2001.
Source: AIHW analysis of ABS 2019 (Data table).
Psychological distress
People aged 45 and over with osteoporosis were 2.9 times as likely to experience very high levels of psychological distress (12%) compared with those without the condition (4.1%)—according to the 2017–18 NHS (Figure 3).

(a) Psychological distress is measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), which involves 10 questions about negative emotional states experienced in the previous 4 weeks. The scores are grouped into Low: K10 score 10–15, Moderate: 16–21, High: 22–29, Very high: 30–50.
Note: Rates are age-standardised to the Australian population as at 30 June 2001.
Source: AIHW analysis of ABS 2019 (Data table).