Thursday, June 7, 2007

NIH Consensus Panel Addresses Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy

Osteoporosis Prevention
Osteoporosis Diagnosis
Osteoporosis Therapy


Nutrition, exercise, and medicines can play important roles in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, according to an independent, non-Government consensus panel convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Panel members acknowledged that maintaining optimal bone health is a lifelong process for men and women that begins in childhood. The panel issued its statement at the conclusion of a 3-day NIH Consensus Development Conference on Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy. The conference, held March 27-29, 2000 at the NIH, brought together national and international experts to present the latest research findings on osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing to an increased risk of fracture.

"Osteoporosis occurs in all populations and at all ages and is a devastating disorder with significant physical, psychosocial and financial consequences," said panel chair Anne Klibanski, M.D., professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. About 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis, making it the most prevalent metabolic bone disorder in this country. An additional 18 million individuals already have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for this disorder.

The panel was charged with addressing the following five questions:

  • What is osteoporosis and what are its consequences?
  • How do risks vary among different segments of the population?
  • What factors are involved in building and maintaining skeletal health throughout life?
  • What is the optimal evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis and fractures?
  • What are the directions for future research?

"Osteoporosis is commonly the result of bone loss," said Dr. Klibanski. "It may also occur in individuals who do not achieve adequate bone mass during childhood and adolescence." She added that bone mass attained during childhood is perhaps the most important determinant of life-long skeletal health, a fact that is under-appreciated. Achieving optimum bone mass early in life reduces the impact of bone loss related to aging. Genetic factors exert a strong influence on peak bone mass, but controllable environmental and lifestyle factors also play a role. These include good nutrition, particularly adequate calcium and vitamin intakes. Only 10 percent of girls and 25 percent of boys between ages 9 and 17 obtain an adequate amount of calcium in their diet through the consumption of dairy products and vegetables.

There is strong evidence that physical activity early in life contributes to higher peak bone mass. Clinical trials have shown that exercise reduces the risk of falls by approximately 25 percent. Falls are a major cause of fractures in people with osteoporosis.

Although hormone replacement therapy remains a common treatment and prevention option, the panel suggested that more information is needed on how estrogen alone or in combination with other treatments reduces the incidence of fractures. Natural estrogens, such as plant-derived phytoestrogens, have thus far not been shown to reduce fractures. Within the last decade, new medicines to help prevent and/or treat osteoporosis have become available. Among the new classes of drugs are bisphosphonates and selective estrogen receptor modulators.

New technologies have improved the detection of loss of bone mineral, a key predictor of osteoporotic fracture. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the standard for measuring bone mineral density of the hip. Other measures of bone strength, such as ultrasound of the heel, are as effective in predicting hip fracture. However, the panel recognized that no standard exists for comparing different devices.

The panel's recommendations for future research include identifying and intervening in disorders that can impede the achievement of peak bone mass in children of ethnic diversity; improving diagnosis and treatment of secondary causes of osteoporosis, such as that resulting from the use of glucocorticoids (for example, prednisone); collecting data necessary to establish testing guidelines for osteoporosis; developing quality-of-life measurement tools that incorporate gender, age and race/ethnicity; conducting randomized clinical trials of combination therapies to prevent or treat osteoporosis; and developing a paradigm for the management of fractures.

The full NIH Consensus Statement on Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy is available by calling 1-888-NIH-CONSENSUS (1-888-644-2667) or by visiting the NIH Consensus Development Program Web site at http://consensus.nih.gov.

The NIH Consensus Development Program was established in 1977 to resolve in an unbiased manner controversial topics in medicine. To date, NIH has conducted 110 such conferences addressing a wide range of controversial medical issues important to health care providers, patients, and the general public.

The conference was sponsored by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the NIH Office of Medical Applications of Research. Cosponsors included the National Institute on Aging; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institute of Nursing Research; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; NIH Office of Research on Women's Health; and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (formerly the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research)




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Monday, June 4, 2007

UW-Madison leads the way in osteoporosis research

UW-Madison researchers are working on a medication that will revolutionize the battle against osteoporosis.

The short name for it is 2MD. A compound discovered in a UW-Madison lab.

Dr. Neil Binkley with the UW Health Osteoporosis Study says the Vitamin D molecule has been modified or tweaked so it actually can help bones grow. At least it has in animals.

Dr. Binkley says if it tests out in humans, this will be a huge discovery. Probably the most promising medication, he says, in the osteoporosis research pipeline so far.

The one year clinical study on humans is just underway. If the results are positive a larger and longer study takes place. All in all it could be four to five years at least before 2MD is on the market.

But if it does make it that far, Dr. Binkley says it will be worth it. Not only will 2MD promote bone growth in osteoporosis patients but should also have the same positive affects Vitamin D has now on the body such as improving muscle strength in older people.


by: Jim Dick

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Bone Builders Training Available in Tucson and Phoenix

Many people believe that osteoporosis is something that only happens to older people. In fact, this disease is often described as a childhood disease with old-age outcomes.

One in every two women and one in every eight men will suffer osteoporosis-related fractures in their lifetime. Often, people don't realize they have osteoporosis until a bone breaks.

Awareness and prevention are critical in combating osteoporosis. Volunteers are needed to teach others about reducing the risks.

It only takes a few hours a month to become a Bone Builders volunteer and make a difference in the health of women. A medical background is not required, but a willingness to learn and to teach others is.

After training, volunteers teach, help at health fairs, staff displays and share health information with others in their workplace, church or community.

By: Joanne LittleField

Florida Department of Health Recognazies May As Osteoporosis Prevention Month


Osteoporosis Prevention

The Florida Department of Health celebrates Osteoporosis Prevention Month throughout May.

It is a time dedicated to fighting this "silent disease" which thins and weakens bones and affects the health of more than 3 million Floridians.

"The pre-teen and teen years are an important time for young people to understand how eating calcium-rich foods can build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis later in life," Secretary Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H. said. "Learning smart eating habits early can lead to a lifetime of health."

The Florida Department of Health's Child and Adolescent Health Unit encourages osteoporosis prevention in children and young adults. Most children and teens do not meet calcium recommendations for their age group. National nutrition surveys show only 19 percent of teen girls and 52 percent of teen boys get the recommended amounts of calcium. Children from birth to six months need 210 mg per day, children 6-12 months need 270 mg, age 1-3 years need 500 mg, 4-8 year olds need 800 mg, and between the age of 9 and 18, children need 1,300 mg of calcium each day. Making sure young people get the calcium they need will help strengthen bones for adulthood. Regular physical activity also helps to strengthen bones.

Osteoporosis

One out of two women over age 50 will develop osteoporosis.

One in eight men develop osteoporosis.

While people over 50 get osteoporosis most often, it is important to start preventing it when you are young.

The national cost of treating fractures is estimated at more than $13 billion each year.

Florida's share of this cost is estimated at approximately $325 million per year.

Osteoporosis doesn't have to be a major public health threat. Early detection is easy. The Department of Health advises Floridians to ask their doctor or health care professional if they should have a bone density scan to detect loss of bone mass. The scan is safe, quick and painless. Several treatment options are also available to treat osteoporosis.


By : Miami-Dade Country Health Departement