Media release

Profiles

Facts about osteoporosis

Current statistics

• Osteoporosis is a global problem, affecting more than 150 million people worldwide1
• 25 per cent of Australian women and 17 per cent of Australian men will develop osteoporotic fractures1
• Osteoporosis affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over age 502 Of all diagnosed fractures; 46 per cent are vertebral, 16 per cent are hip and 16 per cent are wrist1
• More than half of all spinal fractures do not come to medical attention (although nearly all are associated with disability and pain)1
• In older men, the risk of spinal fracture is about half that of women3

The cascade effect of fractures

• Women who have suffered a vertebral fracture are 5 times more likely to suffer a subsequent fracture within 12 months (the cascade effect)1
• Women who have had 2 or more osteoporotic fractures have up to 9 times greater risk of future fracture1
• Previous spinal fractures increase the risk of hip fractures1
• Spinal fractures result in pain, height loss, deformity, functional limitations, diminished quality of life and sometimes death1
• Osteoporosis affects men less commonly than women, although men who sustain fractures suffer more severely in terms of quality and quantity of life than women who sustain fractures3

Morbidity and mortality

• More than 20 per cent of people who suffer a hip fracture dies within 6 months1
• 50 per cent of those with hips fractures require long-term nursing care1
• By 2020, 1 in 3 Australian hospital beds will be occupied by women with fractures1
• By 2011, there will be an 83 per cent increase in the number of people with a hip fracture1

Prevalence

• 1.9 million Australians with osteoporosis and fractures in 2001. This will increase to 2.2 million in 2006 and 3 million in 20211
• 177 Australians on average were hospitalised with osteoporotic fractures per day in 2001 (65.514 per year) 1
• The number of fractures is increasing at a rate of 4 per cent per annum1
• Every 8.1 minutes in Australia, someone is admitted to hospital with a fracture; by 2020 this will become every 3.7 minutes1

Costs

• Direct costs of osteoporosis hit $1.9 billion in 2000-01 (over half in hospital costs) 1
• Indirect costs were conservatively estimated at $5.57 billion in 2000-011
• 25,796 DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years) lost due to osteoporosis, representing 1 per cent of the total burden of the disease and injury in Australia1
• Mobility aids associated costs for people with severe osteoporosis are estimated at $1.5 million in 20054
• Aged care associated costs for severe osteoporosis are estimated at $165.6 million in 20054
• Rehabilitation associated costs after osteoporotic fractures are estimated to be $14.7 million in 20054

Caring for people with osteoporosis

• 7.3 per cent of people with osteoporosis have profound or severe core activity limitations4
• 96.5 per cent of people with severe osteoporosis receive some form of informal assistance or care4
• 7.4 per cent of all primary carers (across the board of people with disabilities, chronic illness and frail aged) are for people with osteoporosis as their main disabling condition4
• 57 per cent of all informal primary carers of people with osteoporosis provide 40 hours or more of care per week4

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For more information about osteoporosis, World Osteoporosis Day and the IOF landmark study, call Osteoporosis Australia on 1800 242 141 or visit www.osteoporosis.org.au.

References

1. The burden of brittle bones – costing osteoporosis in Australia. Prepared by Access Economics Pty Ltd for Osteoporosis Australia, September 2001.
2. Invest in your bones. Make it or Break it. ‘How exercise helps to build and maintain strong bones, prevent falls and fractures, and speed rehabilitation. 2005. Written on behalf of the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors by Helmut W. Minne, MD, Chairman IOF Committee of National Societies; Clinic “Der Fürstenhof”, Center of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Bad Pyrmont, Germany; German Academy of the Osteological & Rheumatological Sciences
3. Invest in your bones. Osteoporosis in Men. The ‘silent’ epidemic strikes men to. 2004. Written on behalf of the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors by Professor Ego Seeman, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Melbourne.
4. The Economic Value of Informal Care. Prepared by Access Economics Pty Ltd for Carers Australia, October 2005.