November is Osteoporosis Month, and we are urging Canadians to be aware of their risks for
breaking a bone
Closing the Care Gap
Patients with fragility fractures are at the highest risk of developing new
fractures.
The risk of
having a major fracture from osteoporosis in Canada is among the highest in the world — in the top quarter.
Each year 30,000 Canadians break their hip, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Many more Canadians
suffer osteoporotic fractures of the spine, wrist, shoulder and pelvis. Broken bones from osteoporosis are
extremely common, more common than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined. At least one in three
women and one in five men will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime. The consequences
of an osteoporotic fracture can be devastating:
- Both spine and hip fractures are associated with an increased risk of death.
- Twenty-eight percent of women and 37% of men who suffer a hip fracture will die within the following
year.
- At least 15–25% of hip fracture patients require admission to a nursing home.
- Chronic pain and long-term disability are all too frequent.
- The very real fear of falling, especially during Canadian winters, results in limitation of activities,
isolation from community, family and friends, and depression.
- Osteoporotic fractures place a significant burden on family caregivers, who are often required to take on
extra responsibilities to care for their loved ones.
- There is also a huge burden on the healthcare system, which currently pays an estimated $1.9 billion
annually to treat the many osteoporosis-related fractures.
- Once an individual has had an osteoporotic fracture, another is more likely to occur, especially if the
individual is not treated.
In spite of these known facts, a huge care gap exists after a fracture. Over 80% of fracture patients are
never offered screening and/or treatment post-fracture, in spite of the fact that there are several effective
medications that can reduce fracture risk by 30–70 %. By way of comparison, 80% of those who suffer a heart
attack are treated with beta blockers. Without appropriate diagnosis and treatment, patients who have had a
fracture remain at risk for more debilitating and life-threatening fractures.
What is the solution? Patients with hip, spine and other fractures from osteoporosis need appropriate
assessment and treatment. If you have already had a fracture, you may be at high risk for another one. Any
fracture after age 40 means you may need a bone mineral density test and a fracture risk assessment with FRAX
or CAROC, two fracture-risk assessment tools available to Canadian physicians. Your risk of having another
fracture can be reduced. Ask your doctor about diagnosis and treatment options. Make your first break your
last — insist on assessment!
