New results show that Quebecers must take care of their bone health
MONTREAL, May 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Results of the first Quebec study on the
diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, ROCQ (Recognizing Osteoporosis and
its Consequences in Quebec) were presented yesterday at the European Symposium
on Calcified Tissues in Barcelona. The results show that although 80% of
fractures reported in women age 50 and over were directly related to
osteoporosis, an astonishing 80% of these women had never been diagnosed or
treated for this disease. These patients are at very high risk of a new
fracture. ROCQ is a unique therapeutic management program aimed at correcting
this situation.
Although it has been shown that the presence of a fragility fracture
increases the risk of fracture recurrence in the following year, new data from
the ROCQ study show that a doctor's decision to treat a patient rests
primarily on the results of bone density tests (bone densitometry) and not on
clinical events of fragility fractures.
"It is very important to make healthcare professionals and patients aware
of these new data on fragility fractures. Knowing the patient's fracture
history is imperative for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis,"
stressed Dr. Jacques Brown, Head of the rheumatology department of the CHUQ
and President of the ROCQ Program Executive Committee.
The study, led by Dr. Brown, Dr. Louis Bessette and Dr. Louis-Georges
Sainte-Marie, is the largest study on the diagnosis and treatment of
osteoporosis in women over age 50 in Quebec. A total of 3,288 women took part.
"It is the first time that a Quebec study of this size will have such a
significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of this disease," reports
Dr. Brown. "ROCQ will change the way osteoporosis is treated and will improve
our practice throughout the world."
Since it has been shown that a fragility fracture presents a higher risk
for further fractures, it is essential that health professionals and patients
consider the importance of the fracture history. "Osteoporosis should be
considered in all cases of non-traumatic bone fractures. Bone density tests
are not enough; the fracture history must be analyzed, since it is an
important fracture risk factor. This is an essential step in the diagnosis
that is neglected more often than not," stated Dr. Suzanne Morin, founding
member of the Greater Montreal branch of Osteoporosis Canada, member of the
Osteoporosis Society of Canada's Scientific Advisory Council and assistant
professor of medicine, McGill University. The sooner the disease is diagnosed
the sooner the patient will receive satisfactory treatment, thereby reducing
the risk of further fractures.
Did you know?
The ROCQ study data tell us that women must take care of their bone
health. The quality of life of women with osteoporosis could be greatly
improved if the fracture history is taken into account and the disease
diagnosed at the first meeting with their doctor.Some practical advice:
1. Talk to your doctor about your fracture history: remember that
fragility fractures increase the risk of further fractures;
2. Height loss may be a sign of spinal fracture: if you are over 50 years
old and have lost several centimeters in height (more than 6 cm with
respect to your usual height, or 2 cm in the past 3 years), you should
talk to your doctor - an X-ray may be needed to determine if you have
a spinal fracture;
3. Listen to your body! There are several key factors that could tell you
more about your condition:
- Your fracture history
- Your bone mineral density (BMD): it draws a picture of deterioration in
your bones
- Your age: fracture risk increases with age
- Your genetics/family history of osteoporotic fracturesOsteoporosis, the silent thief
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a low bone mass and
deterioration in the bone tissue. This condition leads to greater bone
fragility and increases the risk of fractures, mainly in the hip, spine and
wrist. Osteoporosis is known as the silent thief because the bone loss occurs
without symptoms. In Canada, 1.4 million people have this disease. In those
age 50 and over, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men will have osteoporosis, i.e.
close to 400,000 Quebec women and 125,000 Quebec men.
ROCQ, a program based on solid scientific evidence
ROCQ aims to implement new strategies, based on conclusive data, to
improve the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in women age 50 and over
who have had a fragility fracture, through the development and implementation
of interventions aimed both at patients and heath professionals. An innovative
approach to the treatment of osteoporosis, the ROCQ program is the outcome of
a concerted effort by Dr. Brown (Université Laval), Dr. Bessette (Université
Laval), Dr. Sainte-Marie (Université de Montréal) and a coalition of partners
including physicians', pharmacists' and patients' associations, women's
groups, seniors' groups and pharmaceutical research companies. ROQC is
consistent with the Quebec government health care policy that encourages the
optimal use of medicines.
Partners
The partners involved in the ROCQ program are the Association des
pharmaciens en établissement de santé, Association des médecins gériatres du
Québec, Association féminine d'éducation et d'action sociale, Collège des
médecins, Fédération de l'âge d'or du Québec, Fédération des médecins
omnipraticiens du Québec, Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec,
Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec, Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec, Ordre
professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec, Osteoporosis Canada, Eli Lilly
Canada Inc., Merck Frosst Canada Ltd., Novartis Pharma Inc., Procter & Gamble
Pharmaceuticals and sanofi-aventis Canada.
If you are worried about osteoporosis and would like to know more about
the implications of this study, please follow the link below for an
informative video on the ROCQ program:
http://www.prod-com.ca/ROCQ_approbation01.wmv.
For further information: Geneviève Déry, HKDP Communications and public
affairs, (514) 395-0375, ext. 232, Cell.: (514) 219-2764, gdery@hkdp.qc.ca;
Source: ROCQ therapeutic management program
