Health & Medicine
22 Million Women in EU Over 50 Affected by Osteoporosis
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Nov 11, 2013 10:01 PM EST
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), they estimate that more than 22 million women aged 50-84 in the European Union (EU) have osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women in particular are a greater risk of broken bones due to the hormonal changes that occur at menopause which result in rapid loss of bone pass.
"The burden of osteoporotic fractures weighs heavily on women. Two-thirds of the estimated 3.5 million new fragility fractures that occurred in the EU in 2010 occurred in women. Approximately 22,000 deaths in women were causally related to fractures with 50% due to hip fractures, 28% to clinical spine fractures and 22% to other fractures", Professor Juliet Compston, Chair of the European Union Osteoporosis Consultation Panel said, via a press release.
Osteoporosis is a chronic disorder that can cause the bones to weaken and easily become susceptible to fracture. Statistics show that for approximately one in three women in EU, excessive bone loss together with other factors, leads to osteoporosis-related fragility fractures. These fractures can create a heavy burden based on both the individual and society as the hip and spine fractures are more serious fracture types associated with substantial pain and suffering, disability, and premature death.
"In Europe and North America the average age of menopause is between 50 and 53 years. This is the stage in life when women should assess their personal risk factors for osteoporosis and ensure that they discuss the status of their bone health with their doctors." Judy Stenmark, CEO, IOF said, via a release. "While preventive measures such as regular weight-bearing exercise, sufficient vitamin D, and a calcium and protein rich diet are important for bone health at every age, these factors become absolutely critical after menopause."
Due to longer average life expectancy and higher prevalence of osteoporosis, women suffer most in terms of lost quality of life.
"Significant advances in assessment have been made, and proven, cost-effective treatments are widely available throughout Europe. Yet the disease remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, leaving millions of women at high risk of debilitating fractures. Given the growing number of seniors in Europe, this current model of care is shortsighted and will prove costly to health authorities. We cannot afford to ignore osteoporosis, we must act now", said Judy Stenmark.
More information regarding the study can be found via the Archives of Osteoporosis.
See Now:
NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone
TagsHealth ©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
More on SCIENCEwr
First Posted: Nov 11, 2013 10:01 PM EST
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), they estimate that more than 22 million women aged 50-84 in the European Union (EU) have osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women in particular are a greater risk of broken bones due to the hormonal changes that occur at menopause which result in rapid loss of bone pass.
"The burden of osteoporotic fractures weighs heavily on women. Two-thirds of the estimated 3.5 million new fragility fractures that occurred in the EU in 2010 occurred in women. Approximately 22,000 deaths in women were causally related to fractures with 50% due to hip fractures, 28% to clinical spine fractures and 22% to other fractures", Professor Juliet Compston, Chair of the European Union Osteoporosis Consultation Panel said, via a press release.
Osteoporosis is a chronic disorder that can cause the bones to weaken and easily become susceptible to fracture. Statistics show that for approximately one in three women in EU, excessive bone loss together with other factors, leads to osteoporosis-related fragility fractures. These fractures can create a heavy burden based on both the individual and society as the hip and spine fractures are more serious fracture types associated with substantial pain and suffering, disability, and premature death.
"In Europe and North America the average age of menopause is between 50 and 53 years. This is the stage in life when women should assess their personal risk factors for osteoporosis and ensure that they discuss the status of their bone health with their doctors." Judy Stenmark, CEO, IOF said, via a release. "While preventive measures such as regular weight-bearing exercise, sufficient vitamin D, and a calcium and protein rich diet are important for bone health at every age, these factors become absolutely critical after menopause."
Due to longer average life expectancy and higher prevalence of osteoporosis, women suffer most in terms of lost quality of life.
"Significant advances in assessment have been made, and proven, cost-effective treatments are widely available throughout Europe. Yet the disease remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, leaving millions of women at high risk of debilitating fractures. Given the growing number of seniors in Europe, this current model of care is shortsighted and will prove costly to health authorities. We cannot afford to ignore osteoporosis, we must act now", said Judy Stenmark.
More information regarding the study can be found via the Archives of Osteoporosis.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone