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New results show that Quebecers must take care of their bone health
 >>ROCQ video (in French)
This interactive and informative video gives an overview of the ROCQ program (Reconnaitre l'ostéoporose et
ses conséquences au Québec) and the new results that are arising from it.
Montreal, Results of the first Quebec study on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, ROCQ
(Recognizing Osteoporosis and its Consequences in Quebec) were presented yesterday at the European Symposium
on Calcified Tissues in Barcelona. The results show that although 80% of fractures reported in women age 50
and over were directly related to osteoporosis, an astonishing 80% of these women had never been diagnosed or
treated for this disease. These patients are at very high risk of a new fracture. ROCQ is a unique
therapeutic management program aimed at correcting this situation.
Although it has been shown that the presence of a fragility fracture increases the risk of fracture
recurrence in the following year, new data from the ROCQ study show that a doctors decision to treat a
patient rests primarily on the results of bone density tests (bone densitometry) and not on clinical events
of fragility fractures.
It is very important to make healthcare professionals and patients aware of these new data on fragility
fractures. Knowing the patients fracture history is imperative for the diagnosis and treatment of
osteoporosis, stressed Dr. Jacques Brown, Head of the rheumatology department of the CHUQ and President
of the ROCQ Program Executive Committee.
The study, led by Dr. Brown, Dr. Louis Bessette and Dr. Louis-Georges Sainte-Marie, is the
largest study on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in women over age 50 in Quebec. A total of 3,288
women took part. It is the first time that a Quebec study of this size will have such a significant impact
on the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, reports Dr. Brown. ROCQ will change the way osteoporosis is
treated and will improve our practice throughout the world.
Since it has been shown that a fragility fracture presents a higher risk for further fractures, it is
essential that health professionals and patients consider the importance of the fracture history.
Osteoporosis should be considered in all cases of non-traumatic bone fractures. Bone density tests are not
enough; the fracture history must be analyzed, since it is an important fracture risk factor. This is an
essential step in the diagnosis that is neglected more often than not," stated Dr. Suzanne Morin, founding
member of the Greater Montreal branch of Osteoporosis Canada, member of the Osteoporosis Society of Canadas
Scientific Advisory Council and assistant professor of medicine, McGill University. The sooner the disease is
diagnosed the sooner the patient will receive satisfactory treatment, thereby reducing the risk of further
fractures.
Did you know?
The ROCQ study data tell us that women must take care of their bone health. The quality of life of women with
osteoporosis could be greatly improved if the fracture history is taken into account and the disease
diagnosed at the first meeting with their doctor.
Some practical advice:
Talk to your doctor about your fracture history: remember that fragility fractures increase the risk of
further fractures; Height loss may be a sign of spinal fracture: if you are over 50 years old and have lost
several centimeters in height (more than 6 cm with respect to your usual height, or 2 cm in the past 3
years), you should talk to your doctor - an X-ray may be needed to determine if you have a spinal fracture;
Listen to your body! There are several key factors that could tell you more about your condition: Your
fracture history Your bone mineral density (BMD): it draws a picture of deterioration in your bones Your age:
fracture risk increases with age Your genetics/family history of osteoporotic fractures
Osteoporosis, the silent thief
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a low bone mass and deterioration in the bone tissue. This
condition leads to greater bone fragility and increases the risk of fractures, mainly in the hip, spine and
wrist. Osteoporosis is known as the silent thief because the bone loss occurs without symptoms. In Canada,
1.4 million people have this disease. In those age 50 and over, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men will have
osteoporosis, i.e. close to 400,000 Quebec women and 125,000 Quebec men.
ROCQ, a program based on solid scientific evidence
ROCQ aims to implement new strategies, based on conclusive data, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of
osteoporosis in women age 50 and over who have had a fragility fracture, through the development and
implementation of interventions aimed both at patients and heath professionals. An innovative approach to the
treatment of osteoporosis, the ROCQ program is the outcome of a concerted effort by Dr. Brown
(Université Laval), Dr. Bessette (Université Laval), Dr. Sainte-Marie (Université de Montréal) and
a coalition of partners including physicians, pharmacists and patients associations, womens groups,
seniors groups and pharmaceutical research companies. ROQC is consistent with the Quebec government health
care policy that encourages the optimal use of medicines.
Partners
The partners involved in the ROCQ program are the Association des pharmaciens en établissement de santé,
Association des médecins gériatres du Québec, Association féminine déducation et daction sociale, Collège
des médecins, Fédération de lâge dor du Québec, Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec,
Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec, Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec, Ordre des pharmaciens du
Québec, Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec, Osteoporosis Canada, Eli Lilly Canada Inc.,
Merck Frosst Canada Ltd., Novartis Pharma Inc., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals and sanofi-aventis
Canada.
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