Osteoporosis and bone fractures, a social problem
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In Spain, osteoporosis affects 3,000,000 people, 2,500,000 of whom are women. Only 18% of this figure is diagnosed, and only 10% is treated.
One of the most disturbing facts is that 80% of women affected are unaware of the risk factors for this disease. There are non-modifiable factors such as being female, aging and family history; and modifiable factors, such as calcium deficiency, physical inactivity and excessive consumption of snuff, alcohol and coffee.
Another worrying factor is that osteoporosis is asymptomatic, so sometimes the fracture is not detected until it appears. In order of frequency, is located in the hip, vertebrae, distal radius (Colles fracture) and shoulder.
In Spain, between 1990 and 2012 there was an increase in hip fractures 100%, approaching the 60,000 cases.
It is important to address this problem, since 15% of cases die on income, and between 15 and 30% do so for the first year.
Creating orthogeriatric units minimizes the consequences of this disease, which is a terrible surgical and social costs:
- Destined between 300 and 800 million € a year.
- Between 20-23% bed occupancy.
- 25% live alone.
- 50% does not recover the previous functionality.
- 20% accurate helps long.
All these data lead us to reflect on whether we are doing well. In 1959 Cleveland said "come to the world through the pelvis ... and let the neck of the femur". It is our duty to change. The best treatment for osteoporosis is prevention. It is recommended to maintain adequate calcium intake, good nutrition and regular exercise.
