Advances in Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment Presented at 7th

Washington, DC – A faculty of internationally-renowned osteoporosis experts are sharing the latest information and research about advances to improve bone health, and prevent, diagnose and treat osteoporosis at the 7^th International Symposium on Osteoporosis (ISO): “Translating Research Into Clinical Practice,” April 18-22, 2007 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. Held once every two years, the symposium is the only scientific meeting in the U.S. to focus solely on osteoporosis and bone health across the lifespan.

Conference presenters will discuss a range of new developments including the importance of Vitamin D₃ intake, use of the Absolute Fracture Risk index to better identify those most at risk of fractures, and key findings from clinical drug trials. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt is scheduled to address attendees at the meeting on Friday, April 20 at 8 a.m.

“Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for more than half of all Americans over age 50, especially women who account for eighty percent of those with the disease,” said Ethel Siris, MD, president of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. “Findings presented at the international meeting will provide researchers and healthcare practitioners with vital information and data about osteoporosis to better identify people at risk and improve treatment of those who have the bone disease.”

“There is an emerging field of science examining the role of Vitamin D and its effects on bone health, balance and falling risks, other organ systems, cancer prevention and muscle strength,” said Felicia Cosman, MD, clinical director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. “Seniors who are deficient in Vitamin D have a higher risk of falls and osteoporosis, both of which lead to fractures.”

Another major topic of discussion will center on the concept of Absolute Fracture Risk. “The index helps providers better identify and understand each patient’s individualized risk of future fractures. The Absolute Fracture Risk index is better than using bone density T scores alone and will focus treatment on those who are at greatest risk of osteoporotic fractures,” said Dr. Siris. The results of several pharmaceutical research studies will also be presented at the symposium.

“More than 18 billion dollars a year is spent on treatment of fractures resulting from osteoporosis, and costs are projected to increase unless more attention is given to disease prevention,” said Leo Schargorodski, Executive Director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. “Findings presented at the symposium will give healthcare providers valuable new tools in the fight against the debilitating bone disease.”

One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her/his remaining lifetime. Osteoporosis affects more than ten million people in the U.S., eight million are women and two million are men.

Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually, including:

• over 300,000 hip fractures; and approximately
• 700,000 vertebral fractures;
• 250,000 wrist fractures; and
• 300,000 fractures at other sites.

Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization solely dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health. Our mission is to prevent osteoporosis, to promote lifelong bone health, to help improve the lives of those affected by osteoporosis and related fractures, and to find a cure. For more information on osteoporosis and bone health, contact NOF online at www.nof.org or by telephone (800) 223-9994. 

NOF’s Web site, www.nof.org, lists key questions and offers informative brochures that are intended to assist individuals – young adults, those at midlife and older adults -- to discuss good bone health throughout their lifespan with their healthcare professional. The site also suggests a series of questions consumers may want to pose if they currently have osteoporosis or if their healthcare provider believes they are at high risk for the disease.