HONG KONG, Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Almost all (98%) of patients in Hong Kong who have had a fragility fracture say they are worried or very worried about breaking another bone,1c but one-third (32%) of patients did not discuss fracture prevention and osteoporosis, the underlying cause, with their doctor;1d according to a new survey. The results of the Fight the Fracture-International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Survey 2017 were announced today to mark World Osteoporosis Day coming up on 20th October. The Survey interviewed 400 patients from five Asian countries/territories -- including 50 from Hong Kong -- aged 60 years and over who had suffered a fragility fracture in the last two years and is the first project undertaken by Fight the Fracture, a public education campaign jointly launched by the Asian Federation of Osteoporosis Societies (AFOS), IOF and Amgen.
A Failure to Connect
Despite the great extent to which the lives of patients and their families are impacted by fractures, the survey showed that patients in Hong Kong have a limited understanding of fragility fractures and osteoporosis as an underlying cause, as well as increased risks of another fracture after the first one:
Other key survey findings include:
Public Awareness Critical
"Fragility fractures have crippling consequences for patients and their families. A second or third fracture is even more devastating for a patient, potentially costing his or her healthy mobility, independence or even life," said Professor Cyrus Cooper, IOF President. "These findings are welcomed, timely evidence of the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding among patients, their families and caregivers. We encourage patients who have suffered a fracture to start conversations with their doctors immediately about ways to prevent another fracture from happening to them again."
"World Osteoporosis Day is a necessary reminder that there is still work to be done in improving secondary fracture prevention in Hong Kong," said Dr. Sze-hung WONG, Council Member of the Osteoporosis Society of Hong Kong. "The urgency to act lies in our rapidly ageing population, which is estimated to drive a three-fold increase in fragility hip fractures between 2011 and 2040.3 There are important insights within the survey findings which we encourage the profession to take onboard toward improving patient awareness in preventing another fracture, and ultimately, health outcomes."
The survey is the first phase of the Fight the Fracture campaign, which aims to empower patients who have suffered a fragility fracture and their caregivers to proactively seek medical professional help in secondary care prevention -- the prevention of a subsequent fracture -- by providing them with educational information, tools and resources. These resources are hosted on www.fightthefracture.com
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on https://twitter.com/amgen
About the International Osteoporosis Foundation
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world's largest non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF members, including committees of scientific researchers as well as 240 patient, medical and research societies in 99 locations, work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a worldwide heath care priority. www.iofbonehealth.org
About Fight the Fracture and the Fight the Fracture-IOF Survey 2017
Fight the Fracture, a public education campaign, aims to empower patients who have suffered a fragility fracture and their caregivers to proactively seek medical professional help in secondary care prevention -- the prevention of a subsequent fracture -- by providing them with educational information, tools and resources. With this support in place, we envision patients will have a better understanding and awareness of fragility fractures and a common underlying cause, osteoporosis, which would encourage them to take the necessary steps to initiate a conversation with their doctor toward improved, proactive management of their condition.
Supported by the International Osteoporosis Foundation and Amgen, the Fight the Fracture-IOF Survey 2017 was conducted in June 2017, through interviews with 400 patients who have suffered a fragility fracture across five Asia Pacific countries/territories -- Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. All patients surveyed had suffered a fracture within the last two years and are aged 60 or older.
About Fragility Fractures and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis affects both men and women.4 Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bone over time, making them thinner, more brittle and more likely to break.4 As a result, the skeleton becomes fragile, so that even a slight bump or fall can lead to a broken bone -- referred to as a fragility fracture.5 Fractures most often occur in the hip, spine, arm, wrist, ribs, legs and pelvis.6 Fractures are expensive to treat, and disabling to the lives of those affected.6 Moreover, fractures are associated with heightened risk of death.7
Osteoporosis can significantly compromise quality of life, leading to loss of independence, chronic pain, disability, emotional distress, lost productivity and reduced social interaction.7 There is no cure for osteoporosis, however steps can be taken to help prevent, slow, or halt its progression.7
Risk factors for osteoporosis include age, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, previous broken bones, a family history of osteoporosis and low body weight.8
Osteoporosis may be managed with anti-osteoporotic medication, weight-bearing exercise, adequate calcium intake and vitamin D exposure (sunlight and/or supplements are often required).7
References
1. Data on file: Fight the Fracture-International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Survey 2017 -- Hong Kong Report. 17 July 2017.
2. Lyet JP. Fragility Fractures in the Osteoporotic Patient: Special Challenges. JLGH 2006;1(3):91-95.
3. Man LP, Ho AW, Wong SH. Excess mortality for operated geriatric hip fracture in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med J 2016; 22:6-10.
4. International Osteoporosis Foundation. What Is Osteoporosis? 2015. Available at: http://www.iofbonehealth.org/what-is-osteoporosis (Last accessed Sep. 2017)
5. International Osteoporosis Foundation. Capture the Fracture: A Global Campaign to Break the Fragility Fracture Cycle. 2012. Available at: https://www.iofbonehealth.org/capture-fracture (Last accessed Sep. 2017)
6. International Osteoporosis Foundation. Gaps and Solutions in Bone Health: A Global Framework for Improvement. Available at: http://share.iofbonehealth.org/WOD/2016/thematic-report/WOD16-report-WEB-EN.pdf (Last accessed Sep. 2017)
7. International Osteoporosis Foundation. Facts and Statistics. Available at: https://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-statistics (Last accessed Sep. 2017)
8. International Osteoporosis Foundation. Who's at Risk? 2015. Available at: http://www.iofbonehealth.org/whos-risk (Last accessed Sep. 2017)
