400 bone fractures in the country every day 80% of people with osteoporosis do not know about their disease

150,000 fractures occur in the country every year; 80% of people with osteoporosis are unaware of their disease and only 8% start treatment.

According to Ambassador Arjan, the increase in the elderly population in Iran has increased concerns about the spread of age-related diseases. One of the most important of these diseases is osteoporosis; A complication that usually develops without symptoms and many people find out about it when they have a fracture. The statistics presented at the National Bone Health Week press conference show that in addition to the high prevalence of this disease in the country, the ignorance of patients, not seeking treatment, abandoning medicines and limited access to diagnostic services are among the important challenges of controlling osteoporosis in Iran.

Dr. Baqer Larijani, head of the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute, in the press conference of the National Bone Health Week, referring to the need to increase public awareness about osteoporosis, said: This year's motto is to strengthen, protect and strengthen bones. Our society is moving towards old age and with the increase of the elderly population, the issue of osteoporosis will become more important in people's health. For this reason, we need wider information and increase the awareness of the society about this disease.

Stating that many international foundations are active in the field of osteoporosis prevention and control, he added: Iran also plays a serious role in these activities and we are a member of the board of directors of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).

Larijani explained about the prevalence of osteoporosis in the country: studies show that about 30% of the country's population over 50 years of age suffer from osteoporosis, and about 50% have decreased bone density. This statistic is very significant; This means that out of every 10 people over the age of 50, only 2 people have a proper and normal condition in terms of bone health.

According to him, with increasing age, the prevalence of osteoporosis also increases, and this issue is especially worrying in elderly women.

The head of the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute said: If we examine the age group over 65 years old, the results of our research show that 62% of women in this age group are suffering from osteoporosis and 33% have decreased bone density. Therefore, only 5% of women over the age of 65 have normal and appropriate bone health.

He continued: In men over 65, the prevalence of osteoporosis is about 20%. Men usually develop this problem later than women, but this does not mean that they are immune from the disease. Our recommendation is that men and women over the age of 65, even if they do not have any special problems or symptoms, check their bone health.

400 bone fractures daily in the country

The head of the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute stated that the importance of osteoporosis is not only limited to the reduction of bone density, and said: What seriously threatens us in this disease is the resulting fractures. About 60% of fractures are related to osteoporosis and these fractures can cause serious consequences for people's health and quality of life.

Referring to the dangers of femur fracture, he explained: Femur fracture is one of the most important complications of osteoporosis. In these cases, about 20% of patients die in the hospital, and a significant percentage of those who survive also lose their independence and become dependent on the help of others to perform daily activities.

Larijani also said about the statistics of fractures in Iran: In our country, about 400 cases of bone fractures occur daily, which is a significant figure. On average, we have nearly 150,000 new fractures per year, and this number has remained at approximately the same level for the past few years.

Emphasizing the need to pay attention to the social and economic consequences of these fractures, he added: the economic burden caused by osteoporosis and fractures related to it is very important. A person who suffers a fracture may be disabled or housebound for a long time and may no longer be able to function as before. In addition to treatment costs, this issue imposes other costs on the family and society.

According to Larijani, the economic burden caused by osteoporosis-related fractures in some countries reaches millions of dollars, and an important part of these costs is related to patients' disability, the need for long-term care, and the reduction of their ability to continue normal life activities.

The probability of second fracture increases up to 3 times

Larijani considered another important concern about osteoporosis to be the increased probability of re-fracture in people who have already suffered a fracture.

He explained about this: After the occurrence of the first fracture, the probability that a person will suffer a fracture again increases 2 to 3 times. Therefore, patient care should not be limited to the treatment of the same fracture, and it is necessary to take preventive measures to prevent a second fracture.

The head of the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute announced the implementation of a joint program with the Ministry of Health to follow up these patients and said: We are working with the Ministry of Health to establish a mechanism in hospitals to identify and follow up patients after a fracture and to take the necessary measures to prevent them from re-fracture. This program is being implemented in several universities of medical sciences. In these centers, necessary training is provided to patients and their condition is followed up after discharge from the hospital to reduce the possibility of future fractures.

80% of patients do not know about their osteoporosis

The head of the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute pointed out that many people with osteoporosis do not know about their disease until a fracture occurs. Studies show that about 80% of people with osteoporosis do not know about their disease. In other words, 8 out of 10 sufferers do not know that they have osteoporosis. This statistic shows that more measures should be taken in the field of identifying the disease and increasing public awareness.

Larijani emphasized: Of course, being aware of osteoporosis does not mean that people should do strange and unusual actions. The main issue is for each person to know their bone health and take the necessary precautions to prevent fractures.

Out of every thousand patients, only 80 people start the treatment

Larijani considered another important challenge of osteoporosis control is the patients not taking the treatment seriously and said: Even when people are informed of their osteoporosis, many of them do not start the treatment. Our research shows that out of every thousand people with osteoporosis, only about 80 people start treatment. This issue shows that osteoporosis is not taken seriously by many sufferers even after being identified. While proper treatment can play an important role in reducing the risk of fracture.

According to this expert, the problem is not limited to not starting the treatment, and many patients who take medicine also do not continue their treatment.

Larijani said about this: Out of every 2 patients who start treatment for osteoporosis, one person abandons it after some time. This issue is one of the important obstacles in controlling the disease and shows that in addition to diagnosis and prescribing medicine, patients should also be taught about the necessity of continuing treatment.

Misconceptions about calcium, vitamin D and elderberry

The head of the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute stated that people's awareness about osteoporosis is at an average level, and warned against the dissemination of false information in some media and said: There are wrong beliefs in the field of osteoporosis that are sometimes promoted through some media. One of these beliefs is that calcium consumption causes kidney stones. However, a distinction should be made between people with a history of kidney stones and other people.

Larijani explained: In people whose kidneys are prone to stone formation, the consumption of some calcium supplements may require consideration and caution, but this does not mean that calcium is harmful for all people. Supplying the calcium needed by the body is very important to maintain bone health.

He pointed to another incorrect advice about the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and added: sometimes it is said to use substances such as honey and elderberry instead of calcium and vitamin D. These foods may be useful foods, but they cannot fully compensate the body's need for calcium and replace adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D.

Larijani also considered the belief that osteoporosis is incurable as incorrect and said: Some people think that osteoporosis has no cure, while this is not the case at all. We can address some of the problems related to bone health with basic treatments and providing the body's basic needs, including calcium and vitamin D, and reduce the risk of fractures with the right treatments.

He continued: There are medicines needed for the treatment of osteoporosis in the country, and many of these medicines are not expensive. Therefore, you should not get the impression that treating osteoporosis is difficult or impossible.

Concentration of bone density measurement devices in big cities

The head of the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute also explained about the methods of diagnosing osteoporosis: In Iran and other countries of the world, various calculation methods are being used and developed to assess the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. In these methods, by receiving some information from people, even without using a bone density measurement device, an initial assessment of the risk can be made.

He added: Of course, the use of diagnostic devices is also necessary in some cases, but the development of risk assessment methods can help identify people at risk.

Larijani expressed hope that these methods will be developed in the country's health and treatment network and said: Currently, bone density measuring devices are mainly concentrated in big cities and provincial centers, and it is necessary to distribute new devices in a more rational way and according to the needs of different regions in order to increase people's access.

He also stated about the measures taken to increase public awareness: In the past years, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute, and the Iranian Osteoporosis Association, several educational campaigns have been held, but the population coverage of these programs is still not sufficient.

Larijani emphasized: Considering the prevalence of osteoporosis in the country, it is necessary to expand educational and information programs so that more people are aware of the risk factors, prevention methods, the need for timely diagnosis and the importance of treating this disease.

Aging population increases the risk of osteoporosis

In the continuation of this meeting, Fatemeh Hajiwalizadeh, the head of Muscular and Skeletal Diseases Department of the Ministry of Health, referring to the silent nature of bone diseases, said: bone diseases, including osteoporosis, are usually asymptomatic and occur mostly in middle-aged and old age. For this reason, people may not be aware that they have this disease for a long time.

He added: With the increase in age and the growth of the elderly population, the importance of this disease increases. Our society is moving towards old age and it is natural that with the increase of the elderly population, both the number of people with osteoporosis and the share of this disease in the health problems of the society will increase.

Referring to the low level of public awareness about osteoporosis, Hajiwalizadeh explained: In our country, people's information about this disease is not enough, and there are false beliefs and disproportionate behaviors in the field of its prevention and treatment. This issue makes many people unable to take proper self-care to maintain the health of their bones.