National Osteoporosis Foundation highlights lay abstracts from ISO 9 -- Fracture as a Sentinel Event Lecture -- Ethel Siris, MD

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by weakened and fragile bone tissue, leading to an increased chance of breaking a bone. The weakened tissue is due to changes in the amount and structure of bone. While people with osteoporosis are most likely to break bones in the spine, hip or wrist, almost any bone can be affected. These bone breaks often occur with minor accidents such as falls, or banging into objects, but can even occur after no accident at all.

Each year, an estimated two million fractures occur in the United States at an annual cost of $17 billion. This number is expected to skyrocket to more than three million fractures per year and $25 billion in annual costs by 2025. While most fractures are seen in women, nearly 30% of fractures occur in men. This problem affects all racial and ethnic groups although Caucasians are more frequently affected. Fractures have a negative impact on quality of life, can cause physical and functional limitations and can affect longevity, particularly for patients with hip and spine fractures. 

These dramatic statistics are especially worrisome because, in many cases, fractures can be prevented.  Individuals at risk for a first fracture can be identified through bone mineral density testing and careful medical history. Effective medications, with proven anti-fracture effectiveness, are widely available, but compliance with therapy is less than optimal. Once a person has an osteoporosis-related fracture, it is essential to recognize the significance of the fracture as a powerful risk factor for future fractures. Yet despite what is known about the prevention of fractures and the management of osteoporosis, substantial care gaps exist.  

This session will explore the challenge of secondary fracture prevention. Dr. Siris will discuss two models, both focused on multidisciplinary care coordination in order to ensure that patients are managed properly and do not fall through the cracks of the health care system. Finally, Dr. Siris will emphasize the need for a standard of care for primary prevention and disease management in order to reduce the burden of fractures.

Ethel Siris, MD is the Madeline C. Stabile Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, and the Director of the Toni Stabile Osteoporosis Center of the Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York. She is a graduate of Harvard University, and received her medical degree from Columbia University. An endocrinologist, she works as a clinician, clinical investigator and medical educator, focusing on osteoporosis. Dr. Siris is the immediate past president of the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of both NOF and the International Osteoporosis Foundation. She previously served on the Council of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and on the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee of the US Food and Drug Administration. She has published widely in the medical literature and has appeared frequently on both television and radio and in print media regarding osteoporosis.

Please visit www.nof-iso.org for complete meeting details and program agenda.

About the National Osteoporosis Foundation

Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, a leading community-focused health organization, is dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and broken bones, the promotion of strong bones for life and the reduction of human suffering through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research. For more information on the National Osteoporosis Foundation, visit www.nof.org.