World's Largest Osteoporosis Congress Closes;
Significant Studies Released
11 Jun 2006
The largest world medical congress devoted
specifically to osteoporosis ended in Toronto today,
following five days in which nearly 4,000
participants from 98 countries learned of the latest
research in this crippling bone disease and clinical
strategies to treat patients more effectively.
The IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis, held every
two years, was organized by the International
Osteoporosis Foundation.
“This congress is becoming one of the major
scientific meetings in the field of osteoporosis.
The interdisciplinary and international flavour of
the IOF WCO has never been more apparent than in
Toronto,” said congress delegate and IOF Board
member Prof. John Bilezikian, USA.
Some highlights:
Research on why astronauts lose significant muscle
and bone mass while in space can lead to more
effective techniques to reduce bone loss in
bedridden patients. “We should think about the
potential benefits of using space technology to
prevent osteoporosis in our aging population,” noted
Dr. Dave Williams, Canadian astronaut, who spoke at
the congress.
-- Nine women leaders from around the world called
on individuals, physicians and government officials
to stop the spread of osteoporosis. Justine Pasek,
Miss Universe 2002 from Panama, one of the speakers
at the event, said “it is time to get people to
stand up and speak out on this serious disease.”
-- A new, sophisticated X-ray scanner that can
measure tiny, three-dimensional changes in bone
architecture, was presented. This scanner can detect
bone loss that may be missed by standard techniques.
-- Rapid weight loss can be a risk factor for
osteoporosis. Obesity is also a risk factor.
-- Female nursing home residents have fewer skeletal
fractures than women who live at home.
-- Maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy and
infant bone growth influence future fracture risk.
“Now we have evidence that the bone mass you have at
the age of 80 reflects what you started with very
early in life,” observed Dr Kassim Javaid, of the
MRC Epidemiology Resource Center, Southampton, UK.
-- The rate of osteoporosis in men is climbing, with
estrogen level an important component.
-- Calcium supplements are only effective in the
presence of additional vitamin D at doses of 800
international units or above.
-- There is a major gap in treating patients with
osteoporosis, despite the availability of a wide
range of drugs, supplements and practices that help
maintain and even build bone strength. This problem
is due to under-diagnosis, and failure of
governments to reimburse people at risk. And when
patients are prescribed treatment, they often do not
comply with prescribed treatment.
-- The rate of osteoporosis in Latin America is
growing and higher than previously estimated.
-- Research confirms the importance of calcium,
vitamin D and protein in building bones.
-- Exercise in childhood and adolescence may stave
off osteoporosis. “Physical activity is important
for optimal bone accrual during childhood,
consequently leading to higher peak bone mass,” said
Miryoung Lee, of the Wright State University School
of Medicine, Ohio, USA.
-- Cigarette smoke, both primary and secondary, can
weaken your bones and increase the risk of
fractures. “Young smokers have significant losses in
bone density,” said Mattias Lorentzon at the Center
for Bone Research at Gothenburg University, Sweden.
Numerous awards were presented:
-- Journalists from Malaysia and UK won top
osteoporosis journalism awards.
-- Seven young investigators from seven countries
received IOF-Novartis Young Scholars' Awards
-- A Boston-based researcher won the IOF-Servier
Young Investigator Award.
A new video highlighting the international work of
IOF and its members in 85 countries was released,
along with a new video message of support by Queen
Rania of Jordan, IOF patron.
Full information on these stories, and others based
on the hundreds of presentations which took place,
is available on the IOF website:
http://www.osteofound.org
The next IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis will
take place in Bangkok, Thailand, in December 2008.
Article: Medical News today: URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=44755 |
