The Impact of Fragility Fractures due to Osteoporosis is Being Ignored

BRUSSELS, October 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

• New survey reveals that 61 per cent of women over 60 have little or no knowledge of osteoporosis,^[1] despite the fact that one in three is likely to develop a fragility fracture due to the condition^[2] 
• Over half (55 per cent) of respondents believe that fragility fractures in older age are a result of an unlucky fall or accident, rather than the result of an underlying bone condition^[1]
• More than a third (37 per cent) claimed their healthcare professional had never spoken to them about osteoporosis or fragility fractures^[1]
• Questions must be asked as to why a condition that causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually is being overlooked^[2]

New survey results released by UCB today, for World Osteoporosis Day 2018, reveal a startling lack of awareness and understanding of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in those most at risk.

Please click here for key findings from the survey in the UK: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/770660/WOD_Survey_Key_Stats_UK.pdf  

Currently, one in three women aged 50 years and above will experience a fragility fracture due to osteoporosis;^[2] yet results released today from a new survey of more than 4,000 women aged 60+ has highlighted that 61 per cent said they have little or no knowledge of the condition.^[1] In addition, 55 per cent believe that fragility fractures in older age are often a result of an unlucky fall or accident.^[1]

Further still, 69 per cent believe their fragile bones are an inevitable part of getting older and 70 per cent thought it inevitable that their risk of fragility fracture will increase.^[1] Almost one in five people (17 per cent) commented that they felt there is very little that can be done to avoid osteoporosis, despite there being several ways to prevent bone loss and maintain bone strength.^[1]

Osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million people worldwide^[3] and is the most common bone disease in the world, resulting in more than 8.9 million fragility fractures each year around the globe.^[2] It causes bones to weaken at a faster rate than normal, making them fragile and more likely to break. For people with osteoporosis, even the slightest bump or fall could result in a fragility fracture. After experiencing the first fracture, the likelihood of incurring another is five times greater in the first year following the fracture.^[4]