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August 4, Toronto
- A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association
Journal this week paints hip and vertebral fractures in a catastrophic light: if you are 50 or older and you
break your back, you have a one in six chance of dying within 5 years; if you break your hip, that chance
increases to one in four.
Fractures related to osteoporosis are a major health concern, and are
affecting a growing number of Canadians, often with drastic impacts on the quality of their lives.
“As we already know, fractures have significant impact on an individual’s
life, such as pain, immobility, and loss of independence, as well as major impact on family caregivers. This
new information emphasizes again how critical it is to pay attention to fracture prevention,” says Julie
Foley, President and CEO, Osteoporosis Canada.
The 5-year study of 7,753 Canadians aged 50 or older, led by Dr. George
Ioannidis, a health research methodologist in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, uses data from the
Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos). It examines the relationship between new fractures and
mortality.
“Previous studies have largely assessed fractures based on their impact
on quality of life or health care costs. We conducted this study to evaluate the relationship between
fractures and mortality,” says Dr. Wojciech P. Olszynski, Director, Saskatoon CaMos Centre. “Our results
showed that vertebral fracture was itself an independent predictor of death.”
Osteoporotic fractures in individuals over 50 are common: at least 40% of
women older than 50 will suffer a fracture in their lifetime. Study authors conclude that interventions must
be introduced to reduce the likelihood of fractures, such as fall prevention strategies, improved
post-fracture rehabilitation, and osteoporosis medications.
In November of 2008, Osteoporosis Canada released its first national
report card, grading access to osteoporosis care and osteoporosis treatments available through public
prescription formularies, stressing how provinces and territories in Canada were failing Canadians in need of
osteoporosis care and treatment. This study puts new pressure on our governments to cooperate on
comprehensive, integrated strategies aimed at ensuring appropriate care for those at risk of
fractures.
About the 2008 Osteoporosis Report Card, Breaking Barriers, Not
Bones
Breaking Barriers, Not Bones presents a number of recommendations to
improve the outcomes for those living with osteoporosis and to reduce its impact on the health care
system.
• The federal and provincial/territorial governments must work
collaboratively to create a national strategy, supported by parallel provincial/territorial strategies that
provide coordinated osteoporosis care.
• These strategies should ensure that current and future initiatives in risk reduction, diagnosis and
treatment are: coordinated, evidence-based, comprehensive, appropriately resourced within the publicly funded
system. The ultimate goal is to reduce debilitating fractures and their impact on individual lives and on the
health care system.
• Osteoporosis Canada is offering to work in partnership with the federal and provincial/territorial
governments to develop and implement comprehensive and integrated strategies.
About Osteoporosis Canada
Osteoporosis Canada, a registered charity, is the only national
organization serving people who have, or are at risk of, osteoporosis. The organization works to educate,
empower and support individuals and communities in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis by
providing medically accurate information to patients, health professionals and the public. Almost 2 million
Canadians suffer from osteoporosis. One in four women and at least one in eight men over the age of 50 has
osteoporosis. However, the disease can strike at any age. There are approximately 27,000 hip fractures per
year in Canada; data on spinal fractures is limited, but it is estimated that 65 per cent of vertebral
fractures go undetected. The cost of treating osteoporosis and the fractures it causes is estimated to be
$1.3 billion each year in Canada alone. Long term, hospital and chronic care account for the majority of
these costs. A national voluntary Board of Directors governs the organization. A Scientific Advisory Council
made up of medical and scientific experts from across the country provides guidance in all medical
matters.
For further information or to arrange an interview with an Osteoporosis
Canada spokesperson, contact: Ania Basiukiewicz, abasiukiewicz@osteoporosis.ca or 416-696-2663 ext.
240.
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