County Durham: AI could ‘revolutionise’ osteoporosis screening
Developed by IBEX Innovations, a cutting-edge medtech company based at NETPark, the software integrates seamlessly into radiology systems, enabling early detection of osteoporosis from routine X-rays – a ‘game-changer’ for the 3.5 million people in the UK affected by the ‘silent disease’.
IBEX Innovations says it has the potential to save the NHS a ‘staggering’ £65.9 million, prevent nearly 5,000 fractures, and free up more than 50,000 hospital bed days in the next decade.
Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE, a renowned GP, medical broadcaster, and chief medical advisor at IBEX Innovations, is calling for an urgent change in how osteoporosis is detected.
She believes the new software, IBEX Bone Health (IBEX BH), offers the NHS a cost-effective, life-saving solution that can dramatically reduce preventable fractures.
Dr Jarvis, an ambassador for the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: “I’ve spent years warning my patients about the dangers of osteoporosis, yet the NHS’s approach remains grossly inadequate.
“Many people are diagnosed only after experiencing one or more fractures, and access to essential diagnostic tools like DEXA scans is hampered by long waiting times that vary by region.
“The ideal would be to identify people at high risk before they ever have a fracture – but at the very least, we should be assessing everyone who has had a low impact fracture for their risk of osteoporosis through a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS).
“Alarmingly, only half of NHS trusts offer this service.
“This fragmented system urgently needs reform to prevent unnecessary suffering and healthcare costs.”
Dr Jarvis was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis at the age of 60, despite being physically active and showing no obvious risk factors.
She said: “I was horrified by the result; it was a huge shock.
“It made me realise how many people never consider they might be at risk until it’s too late.
“Early detection is critical—it can prevent fractures and give people the chance to take action before it’s too late.”
Osteoporosis affects more than 3.5 million people in the UK, with women facing a significantly higher risk.
The disease causes bones to weaken to the point that even coughs and sneezes can result in a fracture.
Often called the silent disease, osteoporosis remains undiagnosed until a patient suffers a life-changing fracture.
These fractures are now the fourth leading cause of disability and premature death in the UK.
Millions are unaware they’re at risk.
Early menopause, high steroid use, hormone disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, smoking, and family history are simple indicators for early screening.
With the UK’s ageing population, Dr Jarvis argues that the country cannot afford to wait for fractures before treating osteoporosis.
She said: “Osteoporosis is treatable with cost-effective medications that reduce fracture risk.
“We need better screening, and IBEX BH could close the gap in early detection.”
IBEX BH provides bone health assessments from routine wrist X-rays taken for other purposes and is being trialled at the Royal Cornwall Hospital (RCHT).
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The software is also being integrated into mammography machines, allowing osteoporosis screening to take place alongside breast cancer screening, aiming to target post-menopausal women who are at much greater risk.
A recent study by IBEX BH found that early osteoporosis screening could reduce fractures, ease pressure on the NHS, and improve patient outcomes.
Paul Scott, CEO of IBEX Innovations, said: “Our software enables osteoporosis to be detected before a serious fracture occurs—giving people a crucial window to take action.
“The numbers speak for themselves: research shows that we could save the NHS £65.9 million over the next decade, prevent nearly 5,000 fractures, and free up more than 50,000 hospital bed days.”