BEIJING--22 Sep--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest
- New Report Shows Alarming Rise in Fractures, Causing Widespread Suffering and Disability
A new audit report issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) shows that osteoporosis is a serious and growing problem throughout Asia.
Gathering data from 14 Asian countries, regions and territories, it is a landmark report examining epidemiology, burden and costs in individual countries as well as collectively across Asia. The report
concludes that hip fracture incidence has risen 2-to 3-fold in most Asian countries over the past 30 years. Furthermore, it is expected that due to expanding and ageing populations, half of the world's fractures will occur in Asia by 2050.
Increasing longevity, widespread vitamin D deficiency and low calcium intake may be responsible for the alarming increase. Over the past four decades the number of hip fractures increased by 300% in Hong Kong, and by 500% in Singapore. In Japan the number of fractures in people over 75 increased dramatically over the span of 12 years. In mainland China, almost 70 million people over the age of 50 suffer from osteoporosis, resulting in some 687,000 hip fractures per year. A cost explosion related to the treatment of these fractures has been observed in these regions.
Despite the severity of the problem, osteoporosis is being dangerously ignored as it competes with other diseases for scarce healthcare resources. Prevention programs, which could help reduce the number of fractures, are rare. Prevalence data is limited, and there is low awareness among doctors and the public, with inadequate physician training and awareness efforts.
IOF urges immediate government action to prevent the rising tide of fractures. These will have a profound socio-economic impact on millions of people and communities throughout Asia. The burden will be especially severe in many rural areas, where hip fracture patients are often treated conservatively at home, without the benefit of surgery and rehabilitation.
The result: premature death for as many as one in five, immense personal suffering, lost productivity and long-term dependence on family members. The Asian Audit was supported by an unrestricted grant from Fonterra
About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is a nongovernmental organization dedicated to the worldwide fight against osteoporosis. For more information visit http://www.iofbonehealth.org
For interviews with authors contact:
Victoria Monti
Mobile: +41-79-874-51-88
E-Mail: [email protected]
To download report: http://www.iofbonehealth.org
SOURCE: International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)
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