MEDIA RELEASE PR36074
Patients Fear Osteoporosis Quality of Life Impact, Yet Lack Tools to Manage Concerns and Improve
Osteoporosis Outcomes, New Survey Says
DENVER, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) launches OsteoLink
to address unmet needs in osteoporosis management through digital and
in-person patient and physician communication networks across
Europe and Australia
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) today announced results
from a new multinational survey of patients (n= 844; women 55+ with post
menopausal osteoporosis) and physicians (n= 837; general practitioners and
specialists treating osteoporosis) at the 31st annual meeting of the American
Society of Mineral and Bone Research (ASBMR). Results show that patients fear
the impact of osteoporosis on quality of life, such as breaking a bone and
reduced activity, far more than physicians believe. Results also show that
patients lack appropriate information and tools to address these concerns and
improve their osteoporosis management. The survey, conducted in 13 countries
across Europe and Australia, exposes challenges with osteoporosis management
that might be addressed through improved communications networks for patients
and physicians. To address these unmet needs, IOF proudly launches OsteoLink,
a new community based networking programme to create better communication
around the management of osteoporosis, throughout Europe and Australia.
"People with osteoporosis fear the emotional and physical impact
osteoporosis has on their lives," said Prof Rene Rizzoli, IOF Vice Chairman
of the Committee of Scientific Advisors, "but because they are often not as
well informed as they think, their osteoporosis is not well managed. This
leads to increased risk of fracture and a reduced quality of life."
Patients are significantly more concerned about the impact osteoporosis
has on their quality of life than physicians believe
- 79% of patients are afraid of fracturing/breaking a bone while
physicians think only about half of patients (51%) might fear fracture
- 70% of patients are afraid that they won't be able to be as active as
they would like while physicians estimate this percentage at only 40%
- 60% of the patients worry about becoming more dependent on others while
physicians estimate this percentage at only 30%
- 57% of patients are afraid of not being able to work for as long as
they need to while physicians only estimate that 30% of patients have
these concerns
Patients claim to be better informed about their osteoporosis than the
data reveal
- 93% of patients correctly describe osteoporosis as a condition that
"causes bones to be brittle and fracture/break easily" yet over half
(57%) of patients still incorrectly believe osteoporosis is just "part
of getting old"
- However, 1 in 3 patients cannot identify any of the risk factors for
osteoporosis
- On a positive 4 out of 5 patients (82%) confirm they are informed by
their physicians about the importance of treatment adherence, and 87%
of physicians confirm they provide their patients with this information
- However, approximately one third (32%) admit to discontinuing their
osteoporosis treatment and almost the same number of patients (29%) do
not see a problem in missing a dose once in a while
Patients fear fractures, yet their adherence to treatment is poor.
Although they admit to receiving information on the importance of taking
their osteoporosis medicine, they do not fully understand that adherence
significantly increases fracture protection(1)
- 79% of patients are afraid of fracturing/breaking a bone
- 82% of the patients report being informed by their physicians on the
importance of taking their treatment continuously
- Approximately 1 out of 3 patients (32%) admit to discontinuing their
osteoporosis treatment
- These patients report they discontinue their osteoporosis treatment for
about 5.5 months on average; 2.6 months longer than physicians estimate
- More than one in four (29%) of patients do not see a problem in missing
a dose once in a while
"Current strategies to educate people on osteoporosis management do not
adequately provide the information and support people with osteoporosis
require to reduce their risk of fracture and maintain the quality of life
they desire," said Patrice McKenney, CEO of International Osteoporosis
Foundation. "As part of our ongoing fight to improve the management of
osteoporosis, the IOF is launching a landmark community based programme to
develop communications networks to improve the understanding and outcomes of
osteoporosis care."
About OsteoLink
In response to the unmet needs highlighted by the survey findings, IOF
announces the launch of OsteoLink, a novel community based networking
programme for people with osteoporosis and physicians in Europe and Australia
designed to improve communications networks for people with osteoporosis and
their friends and family, both online and in person. Supported by Amgen
(EUROPE) GmbH, Medtronic Foundation and other potential partners, OsteoLink
will provide dynamic online and in person networks designed to improve
osteoporosis communications with tools that respond to current unmet needs.
Working closely with its network of approximately 200 IOF National
Societies throughout Europe and Australia, IOF will support the development
of written and online communications tools, interactive Web content and an
e-mail engagement platform to improve osteoporosis communications.
In 2010, all content for the OsteoLink programme will be developed by a
scientific committee made up of communications and social networking experts,
IOF and National Society members, physicians and people with osteoporosis
themselves.
About the survey
Results contained in this press release are from a multinational survey
commissioned by IOF and developed, fielded and analysed by GfK, the German
market research firm. The survey was fielded in June and July, 2009.
Quantitative analysis was conducted from a sample size of 844 patients (women
with diagnosed post-menopausal osteoporosis) and 837 physicians from 13
countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Austria, Belgium, Hungary,
Greece, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and Australia). All research was
done through structured telephone interviews, lasting an average of 15-20
minutes. Additional qualitative insights were obtained from research
interviews with patients, GPs and specialists in France and Germany.
About Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and break easily, is one
of the world's most common and debilitating diseases. The result: pain, loss
of movement, inability to perform daily chores, and in some cases, death.
Worldwide, one out of three women over 50 will experience osteoporotic
fractures, as will one out of five men (2) (3) (4). Osteoporosis can, to a
certain extent, be prevented, if it can be easily diagnosed and effective
treatments are available. Nevertheless, osteoporosis often remains
under-diagnosed and under-treated, leaving people at unnecessary risk of
fracture.
About the International Osteoporosis Foundation
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is a not-for-profit,
nongovernmental organization dedicated to the worldwide fight against
osteoporosis, the disease known as "the silent epidemic". IOF's members -
scientific researchers, patient, medical and research societies and industry
representatives from around the world - share a common vision of a world
without osteoporotic fractures. IOF, with headquarters in Switzerland,
currently includes 194 member societies in 92 countries, regions and
territories. The Foundation works with its members to advance the
understanding of osteoporosis and to promote prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of the disease worldwide. Among its numerous programmes and
activities, IOF mobilises the global osteoporosis movement on World
Osteoporosis Day every year and organises the IOF World Congress on
Osteoporosis and the IOF World Wide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient
Societies every two years.
References
(1) Rabenda V, Mertens R, Fabri V, et al. (2008) Adherence to
bisphosphonates therapy and hip fracture risk in osteoporotic women.
Osteoporos Int 19:811.
(2) Melton U, Chrischilles EA, Cooper C et al. How many women have
osteoporosis? Journal of Bone Mineral Research, 1992; 7:1005-10
(3) Kanis JA et al. Long-term risk of osteoporotic fracture in Malmo.
Osteoporosis International, 2000; 11:669-674
(4) Melton LJ, et al. Bone density and fracture risk in men. JBMR. 1998;
13:No 12:1915
SOURCE: International Osteoporosis Foundation
CONTACT: Jessica Walsh,
+44 (0) 7827 883 888,
jwalsh@hillandknowlton.com,
or Shipra Singh,
+44 (0) 20 7973 4424,
ssingh@hillandknowlton.com,
both of Hill & Knowlton,
for International Osteoporosis Foundation
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