At least 600,000 Australians are affected by osteoporosis, a
disease that causes bones to become fragile and weak and increasing
the risk of fracture, according to a report released today by the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Osteoporosis
Australia.
A 'silent' disease, osteoporosis usually shows no signs or
symptoms, and so often goes undiagnosed until a fracture
occurs.
Osteoporosis affects mostly women and men of middle-age and
older.
According to the report, A picture of osteoporosis in
Australia, launched today by Minister for Ageing, Justine
Elliott, at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, 1 in 2
women and 1 in 4 men over the age of 60 will suffer an osteoporotic
fracture in their lifetime.
'These fractures may lead to chronic pain, activity
restrictions, loss of independence and, sometimes, death,' said Dr
Kuldeep Bhatia, Head of the AIHW's National Centre for Monitoring
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions.
Management of osteoporosis includes medication, exercise,
physical therapy and healthy eating. About 43% of Australians with
osteoporosis take pharmaceuticals and 40% use vitamin/mineral
supplements (such as calcium and Vitamin D).
According to Dr Emma Duncan, staff specialist in endocrinology
at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, osteoporotic fractures occur
most commonly in the hip, spine and wrist.
Medical Director of Osteoporosis Australia, Professor Peter
Ebeling, said osteoporosis was largely preventable, with key
preventive actions being 'a healthy diet, adequate vitamin D
levels, regular exercise and not smoking'.
'These actions can also help people with osteoporosis to reduce
their risk of fracture,' he said.
This is the second in a series of booklets about musculoskeletal
diseases, and was prepared jointly by the AIHW, Osteoporosis
Australia, and the Department of Health and Ageing. The
osteoporosis booklet combines descriptive and statistical
information to explain:
- what osteoporosis is, and how many Australians have it
- how and where it affects the body
- who is at risk
- the financial and health impacts, and
- how it can be prevented.
Osteoporosis Australia provides services and osteoporosis
information to the community and health professionals, aiming to
improve awareness and reduce fractures.
Monday 4 August 2008
Further information: Dr Kuldeep Bhatia, AIHW,
02 6244 1144; 0417 880 300 or Prof. Peter Ebeling, Osteoporosis
Australia, 1800 242 141
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for the availability of A picture of
osteoporosis in Australia.