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Osteoporosis Canada educates, empowers and supports individuals and communities in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis.

 
 

Facts and statistics

About osteoporosis

  • Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become thin and porous, decreasing bone strength and leading to increased risk of breaking a bone.
  • The most common sites of osteoporotic fracture are the wrist, spine and hip.
  • No single cause for osteoporosis has been identified.
  • Osteoporosis can strike at any age.
  • Osteoporosis is often called the 'silent thief' because bone loss occurs without symptoms.
  • Osteoporosis can result in disfigurement, lowered self-esteem, reduction or loss of mobility, and decreased independence.
  • Osteoporosis has been called a paediatric disease with geriatric consequences.
  • Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defence against developing osteoporosis later.
  • Peak bone mass is achieved at an early age, age 16 in girls and age 20 in young men.
  • Women and men alike begin to lose bone in their mid-30s; as they approach menopause, women lose bone at a greater rate, from 2-5 per cent per year.
  • Risk factors include age, vertebral compression fracture, fragility fracture after age 40, family history, >3 months use of glucocorticoid drugs and medical conditions that inhibit absorption of nutrients.
  • Loss of 1 1/2" (4 cm) or more in height may be an indicator of osteoporosis.

Facts and figures

  • Almost 2 million Canadians are living with osteoporosis.
  • 1 in 4 women and at least 1 in 8 men over 50 have osteoporosis.
  • The cost to the Canadian health care system of treating osteoporosis and the fractures it causes is currently estimated to be $1.9 billion annually.
  • At least 80% of fractures in people 60+ are related to osteoporosis.
  • Osteoporosis causes 70-90% of 30,000 hip fractures annually.
  • Each hip fracture costs the system $21,285 in the 1st year after hospitalization, and $44,156 if the patient is institutionalized.
  • Hip fractures related to osteoporosis result in death in up to 30% of cases.
  • 23% of patients who fracture a hip die in less than a year.
  • Osteoporotic hip fractures consume more hospital bed days than stroke, diabetes, or heart attack.
  • Less than 38% of fracture patients in Canada currently undergo diagnosis or adequate treatment for osteoporosis.
  • Without BMD testing, 80% of patients with a history of fractures are not given osteoporosis therapies.
  • A study recently reported that only 44% of people discharged from hospital for a hip fracture return home; of the rest, 10% go to another hospital, 27% go to rehabilitation care, and 17% go to long-term care facilities.
  • A 50-year-old woman has a 40% chance of developing hip, vertebral or wrist fractures during her lifetime. 1
  • The lifetime risk of hip fracture is greater (1 in 6) than the 1 in 9 lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. 2
  • Patients are at highest risk for subsequent fracture in the first few months following a vertebral fracture. 3
  • 1 in 4 women who have a new vertebral fracture will fracture again within one year. 4
  • Both vertebral and hip fractures are associated with an increased risk of death.

Osteoporosis treatment and management

  • Adults (19-50 years old) need 1000mg of calcium a day. Over the age of 50, OC recommends an intake of 1500mg.
  • Vitamin D is critical in the risk reduction and treatment of osteoporosis as it helps your body absorb calcium.
  • Adults need 400 IUs of vitamin D per day. Over the age of 50, OC recommends at least 800 IUs. During the winter months, sunlight on the skin does not produce enough vitamin D; therefore supplementation is recommended.
  • A bone mineral density (BMD) test is the most accurate diagnostic test for osteoporosis.
  • Several medications are now available for the treatment of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed.
  • Regular physical activity, in particular weight-bearing exercise, is an important factor in reducing the risk of osteoporosis, reducing falls and broken bones, and helping people with osteoporosis to remain active.
  • Smoking, excess caffeine and excess alcohol all contribute to bone loss.
  • It is never too late to take steps to reduce further bone loss.

* Most above statistics are from Breaking Barriers, Not Bones – OC’s 2008 Report Card

  1. Melton LJ III, Chrischilles EA, Cooper C, Lane AW, Riggs BL. Perspective: how many women have osteoporosis? J Bone Miner Res 1992;7:1005-10.
  2. Cummings SR, Black DM, Rubin SM. Lifetime risks of hip, colles', or vertebral fracture and coronary heart disease among white postmenopausal women. Arch Intern Med 1989;149:2445-8.
  3. Johnell O, Oden A, Caulin F, Kanis JA. Acute and long-term increase in fracture risk after hospitalization for vertebral fracture. Osteoporos Int. 2001;12(3):207-14.
  4. Lindsay R, Burge RT, Strauss DM. One year outcomes and costs following a vertebral fracture. Osteoporosis Int. 2005; 16:78-85.

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