Osteoporotic fractures as a public health problem

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a disease that has a major effect on public health. The main problems to this burden are associated fragility fractures. The increased rates of morbidity and mortality consequent to these fractures have a massive impact on the health service, population and the economy. The prevention of fractures has therefore become a major public health priority. About 30% to 50% of women and 15% to 30% of men will experience a fracture during life time. Vertebral, hip, and wrist fractures are the most common sites. The incidence of vertebral and hip fractures increase exponentially with age, and they are more frequent in women than men in older age groups. Radiographical studies have indicated that only around 30% of vertebral fractures present clinically. There are differences in fracture prevalence between populations of different ethnicity and geographical locations. Season also has important impact on fracture incidence that hip fractures are more frequent in winter months. There has been a important increase in hip fracture incidence over the last 50 years, which may reach a plateau in Western populations. However, incidence is set to rise worldwide, as a result of increases in developing countries. Osteoporosis is underdiagnosed and undertreated in men and women in spite of modern techniques. Therefore, health care costs associated with osteoporosis are expected to rise dramatically. It is obvious that the public health burden of fractures cannot be solved with drug therapy. Interventions targeted to the community are needed that are safe, inexpensive, and affordable to all persons. Strategies adressing to reduce the burden of this major public health problem are urgently needed. Copyright © 2008 by Türk Tibbi Rehabilitasyon Kurumu Derneği.