National health care situations vary around the world, but most have one common shortcoming. That means osteoporosis and fracture prevention are low priorities within the health care system.
Osteoporosis is a progressive chronic disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures known as “fragility fractures.” People with osteoporosis can break bones from minor falls from standing height, bumps, and even sneezes. Globally, approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 experience an osteoporosis-related fracture, often in the spine, wrist, or Or the hip joint.
Fragility fractures can lead to expensive surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation, often placing a significant burden on family caregivers or requiring care in a long-term care facility. For patients, it has a significant impact on quality of life, mobility, and independence, and increases the risk of death. Approximately 24% of patients with hip fractures die within 1 year after the fracture. In Europe alone, more than 4.3 million fragility fractures occurred in 2019, costing nearly €57 billion.
Dr. Philippe Halbaugh, CEO of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), said:
“As populations around the world continue to age, the number of fragility fractures is expected to rise sharply. By 2050, the global incidence of femoral neck fractures will increase in men compared to 1990. It is predicted to increase by 310% in women and by 240% in women. Osteoporosis and fracture prevention therefore urgently need to be prioritized in health systems.”
Without treatment for osteoporosis, patients who have already suffered a fracture are at great risk of developing another fracture within the next 1 to 2 years. In fact, up to half of patients who present with a hip fracture have fractured another bone months or years before breaking their hip.
Professor Maria Luisa Brandi, IOF Capture the Fracture President® The program also points out:
“To prevent further fractures, it is very important that all patients who have had a fracture in the past receive timely osteoporotic intervention and treatment. Unfortunately, the majority of people who have experienced a fracture for the first time In fact, studies show that approximately 80% of fracture patients worldwide have their underlying osteoporosis undiagnosed and undiagnosed. This is happening despite the clear medical management guidance available and requiring treatment and follow-up.”
IOF experts, in collaboration with national osteoporosis experts, have identified a number of important steps that health systems can take to prevent fragility fractures in their populations. These are outlined in his recent IOF publications such as Capture the Fracture® Policy Report and Audit, the flagship report Capture the Fracture Partnership Guide for Policy Shaping, and the groundbreaking SCOPE: Scorecard for Osteoporosis in Europe Summary Report. I am. Although each country has its own unique healthcare landscape, priorities, and challenges, there are a number of universally important elements of an effective strategy to address the fragility fracture crisis.
The top 10 policy actions include:
- Mandatory osteoporosis National health priorities Implementation of national and/or regional action plans.
- widely introduced Fracture contact service Intended for routine evaluation, management, and follow-up of all individuals who have sustained a minor traumatic fracture.
- secure quality information We examine the burden of disease through a national fracture registry that includes hip fractures and clinical vertebral fractures.
- provide redemption Make approved treatments available to everyone at high risk of fractures.
- secure accurate identification Reducing the number of patients at risk of fractures through the accessibility and appropriate provision of DXA services and modern technology flux.
- Development and dissemination of high-quality products management guidelines Provide information on osteoporosis, including guidance on the use of risk assessment tools, and ensure their widespread use in clinical practice.
- Reduced waiting time This is because it is associated with significantly reduced mortality and improved patient outcomes.
- provide quality training Provide specialized training in the field of osteoporosis, including primary care of patients with osteoporosis, ensuring that osteoporosis is recognized and established as part of specialty training.
- Strong and effective support patient group An organization that can advocate on behalf of patients, strive to raise public awareness, and work closely with medical and research communities.
- Introducing the system Measure and audit quality of care It is offered to people with osteoporosis and associated fractures.
IOF President Professor Cyrus Cooper said:
“In the backdrop of World Osteoporosis Day, I urge all health authorities to make prevention of osteoporosis and fractures a medical priority. We must address this contradiction. There is a rapid increase in fragility fractures as the population ages and an unacceptable osteoporosis treatment gap leading to huge human and socio-economic costs. Furthermore, although the implementation of post-fracture care programs such as fracture liaison services is increasing, few We need to increase the provision of these essential services, which are still rare in the country.
“Given the expected increase in the burden of fractures, we absolutely have to get better. It helps reduce costs and improve quality of life.”
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About osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become thinner and lose strength because their density and quality decrease. This leads to a high risk of fractures or “fragility fractures” that occur after a slight slip from a standing height or simply as a result of a collision or sudden movement. Osteoporosis is sometimes called a “silent” disease because there are no obvious symptoms until bones break.
• Osteoporosis is the leading cause of bone fractures in postmenopausal women and older men. Osteoporosis-related fractures occur most frequently in the bones of the hip, vertebrae of the spine, and wrists.
• Many effective drugs have been approved for the treatment of osteoporosis around the world. These medications are most often used in conjunction with recommended lifestyle changes, proper nutrition, and targeted exercise, as well as calcium and vitamin D supplements.
• Using the WHO definition of osteoporosis, the disease affects approximately 21.2% of women and 6.3% of men over the age of 50, and the same age group worldwide. Based on world population, this suggests that approximately 500 million women and men may be affected worldwide.
More information as well as facts and statistics about osteoporosis is available at: IOF website.
About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world’s largest non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF members, including a panel of scientific researchers and 325 patient, medical and research institutions, are working together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a global health priority. www.Osteoporosis Foundation @iofbonehealth
world osteoporosis day Marked on October 20th of each year. www.worldosteoporosisday.org
About Capture the Fracture®
catch the cracks® (CTF) is a multi-stakeholder initiative led by the International Osteoporosis Foundation that facilitates the implementation of post-fracture care (PFC) coordination programs such as fracture liaison services (FLS) for secondary fracture prevention. The CTF initiative aims to drive change at the local and regional level to prioritize secondary fracture prevention. It sets global best practice standards and provides assessment of Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) through a best practice framework. The CTF also provides the resources and documentation needed to build a prioritization rationale for secondary fracture prevention and facilitate FLS implementation and quality improvement. A mentorship program is also offered to support the development of FLS at the local level. The CTF network currently includes more than 875 FLSs in 55 countries around the world. FLSs can apply for a free assessment and certification through the online Best Practice Framework survey platform on the CTF website. www.capturethefracture.org #CaptureTheFracture
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