6,670 research outputs found
Osteoporosis research thrives: IOF WCO-ECCEO10
No full textThe recent World Congress on Osteoporosis (IOF WCO-ECCEO10), held in Florence on 5–8 May 2010, not only drew a record number of researchers and clinicians, it also attracted a far greater number of scientific abstracts than ever before (850). Needless to say, the organizing societies, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO), were delighted to welcome a record number of attendees (5500). The record numbers suggest that research in the field is thriving and that there is strong interest in the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis and fragility fractures around the world. This is reflected in the attendance statistics, which showed that, as expected, the largest delegation of participants (73.89%) was from Europe, with comparatively large delegations from Asia (8.20%) and North America (6.35%). Researchers and clinicians from South America and the Middle East (3% each) were also in attendance. Participants experienced an enriching scientific program featuring a broad range of topics covered in 12 plenary sessions, 19 primarily clinically oriented meet-the-expert topics in multiple sessions, and eight special sessions and symposia. A total of 12 satellite symposia enhanced the program by offering a wealth of information and practical new knowledge for clinicians.<br/
The epidemiology of hip fractures in the elderly
No full textThis thesis addresses three issues which are fundamental to the design of preventive strategies for hip fractures in the elderly: the independent contribution of osteoporosis to the risk of hip fracture, the roles of low dietary calcium intake and physical inactivity as risk factors for hip fracture, and the geographic variation in hip fracture incidence within England and Wales. Femoral neck bone mass was measured in 708 elderly people who had fallen and injured a hip. Bone mass was lower in those who had sustained a hip fracture than in those who did not. There was a steep increase in the risk of fracture with reduced bone mass at younger ages. At older ages, the risk gradient was less steep. The results suggest that osteoporosis contributes to the risk of hip fracture in the elderly independently of the risk of falling. Other age-related factors become increasingly important above the age of around 75 years. A case-control comparison between 300 elderly men and women with hip fractures and 600 age and sex matched community controls showed that physical inactivity and reduced grip strength were associated with statistically significant (p< 0.01) increases in fracture risk. In women, dietary calcium intake did not influence the risk of fracture. Men with daily calcium intakes above one gram had lower risks. Examination of death certification from hip fracture in England and Wales showed major inaccuracies which limit the usefulness of mortality rates as indices of the incidence of the condition. These studies suggest that the risk of hip fracture in the elderly depends upon an interaction between osteoporosis, the risk of falling and other age-related factors. Physical inactivity and concomitant muscle weakness are important individual risk factors for hip fracture. They may influence fracture risk through an effect on bone mass, the risk of falling or both of these. The results support the maintenance of activity and muscle strength in the elderly. Such a strategy requires prospective evaluation.</p
Epidemiology of osteoporosis
No full textOsteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in the fragility of bone and hence susceptibility to fracture.1 Historically, the term ‘osteoporosis’ first entered medial terminology in France and Germany in the nineteenth century, as a descriptive term emphasizing the porosity of the histological appearances of aged human bone. Prior to this, however, work published by Sir Astley Cooper suggested that certain types of fracture may occur due to age-related reduction in bone mass or quality.2 He described the original classical epidemiological hallmarks of these fractures: incidence rates that increase with age; rates which are higher among women than men; and fractures which are associated with only moderate trauma at sites containing large amounts of trabecular bone. These features are typified by fractures of the proximal femur, distal radius and vertebra, but fractures at other sites – such as the pelvis, proximal humerus, and proximal tibia – show similar patterns. These fractures are the serious and important outcomes of the condition and lead to severe mortality and morbidity, a significant burden on society in general, and a huge economic impact.3 Osteoporotic fractures alone cost the United States around $17.9 billion per annum, and the United Kingdom around £1.7 billion (Table 1).4Table 1
Portrait of author David Foster at the National Library of Australia, Canberra, 8 June 2011 /
No full textTitle from acquisitions documentation.; Part of the collection: Portraits of author David Foster at the National Library of Australia, Canberra, 8 June 2011.; Acquired in digital format; access copy available online.; Mode of access: Online.; Photographed by a staff member of the National Library of Australia
Attitudes to ageing and change in frailty status: the English longitudinal study of ageing
No full textBackground: older people with more negative attitudes to ageing are at increased risk of several adverse outcomes, including decline in physical function and increased difficulties with activities of daily living. Objective: we investigated whether negative attitudes to ageing increase the risk of the onset or progression of frailty. Method: participants were 3,505 men and women aged 60 years and over from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. They completed a 12-item questionnaire on attitudes to ageing. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the structure of these items, and a single factor was derived which we labelled “physical and psychological loss.” Frailty was assessed by the Fried phenotype of physical frailty at waves 2 and 4, and by a frailty index at waves 2-5. Results: having a more positive attitude to ageing as regards “physical and psychological loss” was associated with a decreased risk of becoming physically frail or pre-frail at follow-up. For a standard deviation increment in score, the relative risk ratios (95% confidence interval), adjusted for age, sex and baseline level of physical frailty, were 0.86 (0.79, 0.94) for pre-frailty and 0.72 (0.63, 0.83) for frailty. Further adjustment for other potential confounding variables had only slight attenuating effects on these associations: multivariable-adjusted relative risk ratios were 0.89 (0.81, 0.98) for pre-frailty and 0.78 (0.68, 0.91) for frailty. Attitude to ageing was not associated with change in the frailty index over time after adjustment for potential confounding variables. Conclusion: older people who have a more positive attitude to ageing are at reduced risk of becoming physically frail or pre-frail. Future research needs to replicate this finding and discover the underlying mechanisms. Attitude to ageing was not a risk factor for change in the more broadly defined frailty index
Author David Foster with academic Jeff Doyle at the National Library of Australia, Canberra, 8 June 2011 /
No full textTitle from acquisitions documentation.; Part of the collection: Portraits of author David Foster at the National Library of Australia, Canberra, 8 June 2011.; Acquired in digital format; access copy available online.; Mode of access: Online.; Photographed by a staff member of the National Library of Australia
Author David Foster and academic Jeff Doyle at the National Library of Australia, Canberra, 8 June 2011 /
No full textTitle from acquisitions documentation.; Part of the collection: Portraits of author David Foster at the National Library of Australia, Canberra, 8 June 2011.; Acquired in digital format; access copy available online.; Mode of access: Online.; Photographed by a staff member of the National Library of Australia
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