Drive to persuade women to stay on osteoporosis treatment

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A new report reveals the true personal, social and economic cost of giving up on treatment for osteoporosis.
Although there is effective treatment for osteoporosis, around half of patients stop taking it within a year. The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) now reveals the cost of non-adherence. By 2050, the cost burden of the disease worldwide will rise to 106 billion US dollars, says the report. In Europe alone, the cost of osteoporosis currently stands at 4.8 billion Euros a year. In women over 45, osteoporosis accounts for more days in hospital than many other common diseases, such as diabetes, heart attack and breast cancer.

The report 'Staying Power: Closing the Adherence Gap' builds on recent research on lack of adherence to osteoporosis treatment in Europe and shows the trend to be worldwide. Osteoporosis affects one woman in three, one man in five. Dropping treatment increases the risk of a bone fracture and fewer than one third of women who break a bone will recover their previous mobility. Over a third will require constant care. Breaking one bone also increases the likelihood of breaking another one. With an aging population, the numbers suffering from osteoporosis is set to increase, so it is even more important to persuade people to stick to treatment - for their own sake and to spare the cost to the healthcare system.

Source
International Osteoporosis Foundation 22nd May 2006

Please take a moment to give us your comments. For questions about Health matters you may check our "Questions & Answers" Portal and Service.