IOF calls for action following release of Eastern European & Central Asian Regional Audit

A newly published audit report by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) consolidates information on the status and burden of osteoporosis in 21 countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including the Russian Federation. The landmark report 'Eastern European & Central Asian Regional Audit – Epidemiology, Costs & Burden of Osteoporosis in 2010' shows alarming projections and reveals the poor status of post-fracture care and osteoporosis management in the region. IOF President John Kanis called for immediate action, asking all stakeholders in the region to join forces to improve accessibility to osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment, and, most urgently, to improve standards of fracture care. "Without proper post-fracture care, a person who suffers a hip fracture is at risk of early death or condemned to a life of severe disability," he stated.

The key findings of the Audit Report reveal the magnitude of the problem in the region, including:

• Significant increase in numbers of elderly and hence in fragility fractures expected for most countries in the coming decades
• No set standards of care and lack of modern surgical treatment of patients after hip fracture in many countries, resulting in widespread disability and high death rates
• Lack of epidemiological data on fractures and scientific research in the field of osteoporosis in many countries
• Lack of official government-approved national guidelines on osteoporosis and no formal fragility fracture registries in many countries
• Vitamin D status and average daily calcium intake far below the WHO recommendations in most countries
• In countries without reimbursement of drug therapy, treatment remains out of reach for a majority of the population

Preliminary findings from the report were first presented at the IOF Summit of Eastern Europe and Central Asian Osteoporosis Patient Societies in September 2010. National patient and medical societies attending the Summit discussed how the Audit report could be effectively used as a tool to advance advocacy efforts in their countries, raise public and health professional awareness of the disease, and stimulate research on osteoporosis and its burden in the region.

Source: International Osteoporosis Foundation