Peter Ebeling leads latest research on osteoporosis

WOD international
spokesperson, Peter Ebeling

October 20 is World Osteoporosis Day (WOD), the beginning of a year-long campaign that raises awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the debilitating bone disease.

SCS Department of Medicine Head, Professor Peter Ebeling is a Board member of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), the peak body at the forefront of research in this field.  Professor Ebeling is the author of the latest IOF report, Osteoporosis in men - why change needs to happen.



 “One-third of hip fractures worldwide occur in men and they are associated with greater mortality when compared with women,” said Professor Ebeling. “37% of men die within twelve months after a hip fracture.”

Alarmingly, 1.2 million Australians have osteoporosis and nearly one-quarter are men.  Often called a ‘silent disease’, osteoporosis has no signs or symptoms until a bone fracture occurs.

 

“The level of awareness among Australian men who at are most at risk of osteoporosis is deeply concerning,” said Professor Ebeling.

“A recent survey from Osteoporosis Australia showed alarming numbers of young men thought osteoporosis was rare in men – about 40% of 18- 24 year olds. But more worrying is the number of men 65 and over who had the same view – almost a fifth (19%).”

Professor Ebeling’s concern is for the young men who aren’t aware of their risk.

“It’s in those younger years they can work to lower their risk of developing the bone disease later in life,” added Professor Ebeling. “But if the target audience for information about osteoporosis isn’t aware of their risks, that is an even greater problem.”

In his ground-breaking report, Professor Ebeling calls for “a concerted international effort to improve the awareness of osteoporosis in men amongst both doctors and the community, and to implement systems of care to prevent fragility fractures.”

“A systematic approach to osteoporosis management in men is required on a global scale, including the implementation of awareness and educational programmes as well as Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), which are proven systems of care for patients who suffer fragility fractures.”

It will cost Australia $32 billion dollars in the next ten years to treat bone fractures due to osteoporosis.