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The Coming Wave of Osteoporosis

Posted on: 05/21/2001
In this editorial, the author outlines how osteoporosis is becoming a more commonly recognized condition. As the population ages, osteoporosis and its complications--including vertebral compression fractures (VCF)--are becoming more and more costly to individuals and to our health care system. Direct medical costs of VCFs are estimated to be $13.8 billion annually in the U.S.

The author insists that doctors will need a good method of detecting and aggressively treating osteoporosis in its early stages. The author also suggests the need to get rid of osteoporosis myths: the beliefs that osteoporosis is a concern only for older people, that it can't be effectively treated, and that VCF is easy to treat.

The author paints a much different picture. He lists the different types of treatments available to treat osteoporosis. He also talks about the problems of managing VCF and the different treatments and surgeries to treat it.

He has much to say about prevention. The best way to prevent osteoporosis and VCF is to develop the highest amount of bone mass in the early years. Bone mass can be improved throughout childhood until the mid-30s. From that point on, it's all downhill. Inadequate calcium, low levels of exercise, excessive dieting and drinking, and smoking in youth can all lead to less bone mass. The author challenges doctors to make sure their younger patients understand that they need to help develop and protect their bone mass well before they hit old age.

The author also suggests screening men and women who are at risk of developing osteoporosis. For those who show signs of it, a treatment plan should be put in place. In some cases, physical therapy should be started and efforts taken to reduce the patient's risk of falling down. This is especially true if a person has already suffered a fracture.

The author encourages research on osteoporosis--especially research on how to detect it early, and research on how best to treat VCF. The more we know, the better health providers will be able to deal with the ever-increasing number of osteoporosis cases.

References:
Eeric Truumees, MD. Editorial: Osteoporosis. In Spine. April 15, 2001. Vol. 26. No. 8. Pp. 930-932.

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