Osteoporosis in the European Union: a compendium of country-specific reports

Abstract

Summary This report describes epidemiology, burden, and treatment of osteoporosis in each of the 27 countries of the European Union (EU27). Introduction In 2010, 22 million women and 5.5 million men were estimated to have osteoporosis in the EU; and 3.5 million new fragility fractures were sustained, comprising 620,000 hip fractures, 520,000 vertebral fractures, 560,000 forearm fractures and 1,800,000 other fractures. The economic burden of incident and prior fragility fractures was estimated at € 37 billion. Previous and incident fractures also accounted for 1,180,000 quality-adjusted life years lost during 2010. The costs are expected to increase by 25 % in 2025. The majority of individuals who have sustained an osteoporosis-related fracture or who are at high risk of fracture are untreated and the number of patients on treatment is declining. The aim of this report was to characterize the burden of osteoporosis in each of the EU27 countries in 2010 and beyond. Methods The data on fracture incidence and costs of fractures in the EU27 were taken from a concurrent publication in this journal (Osteoporosis in the European Union: (2013( ) 8:137 DOI 10.1007 Medical Management, Epidemiology and Economic Burden) and country specific information extracted. Results The clinical and economic burden of osteoporotic fractures in 2010 is given for each of the 27 countries of the EU. The costs are expected to increase on average by 25 % in 2025. The majority of individuals who have sustained an osteoporosis-related fracture or who are at high risk of fracture are untreated and the number of patients on treatment is declining. Conclusions In spite of the high cost of osteoporosis, a substantial treatment gap and projected increase of the economic burden driven by aging populations, the use of pharmacological prevention of osteoporosis has decreased in recent years, suggesting that a change in healthcare policy concerning the disease is warranted.

The rational use of animal models in the evaluation of novel bone regenerative therapies

“…In some studies MPCs were fluorescently labeled for in vivo tracking. 2 Non bone marrow-derived MPCs were isolated form adipose tissue, periosteum, muscle, articular cartilage, placenta, human umbilical cord blood, etc. Therapy with cells other than MPCs used endothelial progenitor cells or genetically modified fat cells.…”

“…Osteoporosis as the major underlying condition makes approximately 27.6 million men and women in the EU (6 % of men and 21 % of women aged 50-84 years) to be susceptible to a bone fracture [1]. In 2010, approximately 3.5 million bone fractures were reported in the EU with direct healthcare costs of € 37 billion and 1.180.000 quality adjusted life years lost [2]; these costs expected to undergo a 25% increase by 2025. Large bone defects as well as non-unions and extensive bone loss after fractures still remain challenges for efficient clinical interventions and require additional support of the damaged site.…”

The Wnt Signalling Pathways: A Short Review and Specific Roles in Bone Biochemistry

“…The pathophysiology of osteoporosis has a complex and multifactorial aetiological background, skeletal fragility having its origin from an inappropriate skeletal development or pronounced bone resorption as a result of microarchitecture deterioration, or inadequate remodelling after resorption [1,2]. Musculoskeletal diseases represent one of the leading global economic burdens, affecting more than five million people in Europe and hundreds of millions worldwide, mainly postmenopausal women [3].…”

“…Calcium in relation with calmodulin (CaM) activates the calcium-calmodulin-kinase II (CaMK-II). Calcium could also interact with DAG and IP 3 . On one hand the calcium-DAG complex results in protein-kinase C activation, on the other hand, calcium-IP 3 complex interacts with calcineurin (Can).…”

Biochemical Predictors of Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Susceptibility: Results from a Maltese Study

“…In Malta, 20% of women and 6% of men aged 50 years and older are estimated to be affected with Osteoporosis [3]. Fracture is the most significant clinical consequence of osteoporosis, with the most common, debilitating, and costly fractures being those of the spine, hip and wrist [1].…”