OTS - Fractures due to osteoporosis threaten seniors' independence
2017. October 20. 08:34
Geneva, Switzerland, 20. October 2017.(APA/OTS) - It's invisible,
and it's dangerous. Osteoporosis, which causes bones to become weak
and fragile, only reveals itself when a bone breaks.
In older adults that first 'fragility fracture' is often a
broken wrist, or sudden back pain due to undetected vertebral
fractures. Sadly, the first fracture is often not the last - unless
treated, a cascade of more debilitating fractures can occur.
Today, on World Osteoporosis Day, the call to 'Love Your bones
- Protect your future' by the International Osteoporosis Foundation
(IOF) and its 240 member societies worldwide, emphasizes the
importance of early prevention as the key to healthy mobility at
older age.
Fractures due to osteoporosis represent a major healthcare
burden, causing disability, premature death, and loss of
independence in seniors worldwide. Globally, one in three women and
one five men over the age of 50 will suffer a fragility fracture in
their remaining lifetimes.
IOF President Professor Cyrus Cooper stated: "Osteoporosis is a
disease which suffers from serious neglect. Despite widely
available diagnostic tools and effective medications, only a
minority of people at high risk of fractures are actually diagnosed
and treated. As many as 80% of older adults who suffer a first
fragility fracture - and are in extreme danger of sustaining more
fractures - do not go on to receive preventative treatment to
protect themselves against the high probability of secondary
fractures."
Hip fractures in particular can be life-threatening:
approximately 20-24% of hip fracture patients die within the year
after the fracture; 33% become dependent or in a nursing home. Due
to the growth of the ageing population, the numbers of hip
fractures are rising exponentially. From 1990 to 2050 hip fractures
are projected to increase by 310% in men and 240% in women.
To improve understanding of this public health threat, IOF has
today issued a new resource, 'The IOF Compendium of Osteoporosis'.
This comprehensive reference provides concise information about the
disease, its prevention, and its prevalence in all regions of the
world. It also outlines key strategies to fight osteoporosis at the
national level, providing a blueprint for eight priority actions.
One of the priorities is the implementation of Fracture Liaison
Services (FLS) in all hospitals that treat fracture patients. Such
services are proven to be cost effective ways to prevent secondary
fractures in these high risk patients.
IOF also calls on everyone who is concerned about osteoporosis
patient rights to sign the online IOF Global Patient Charter. The
Charter urges governments and health authorities around the world
to make bone health a priority healthcare issue.
The IOF President adds: "Prevention is key. At all ages, a
healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and regular physical activity
lays the foundation for good bone health. As well, I urge all older
adults to be aware of any personal risk factors for osteoporosis.
These can include a broken bone after the age of 50, parental
history of osteoporosis or hip fracture, loss of height, smoking,
being underweight, certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis,
or use of medications that cause bone loss (such as
glucocorticoids). If you have risk factors, be sure to talk to you
doctor and ask for testing."
To see whether you have risk factors, complete the IOF
One-Minute Osteoporosis Risk Test.
Picture available at
http://www.presseportal.ch/de/nr/100021616/bild
WOD, observed annually on 20 October, marks a year-long
campaign. View events and resources at
http://www.worldosteoporosisday.org/ #LoveYourBones
#WorldOsteoporosisDay
WOD Official Partners: Amgen, Lilly, Sunsweet, UCB
IOF is the world's leading NGO dedicated to the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal
diseases: www.iofbonehealth.org
Media contact: Laura Misteli, IOF, lmisteli@iofbonehealth.org
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