Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that leads to bone loss and susceptibility to fractures. Osteoporosis afflicts an estimated one-third of women aged 60 to 70, and two-thirds of women aged 80 or older; approximately 200 million women worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. Additionally, many older men also are affected by osteoporosis.
A press conference was held in Dubai announcing the various osteoporosis awareness campaigns. MSD launched FOSAVANCE in UAE in 2006. FOSAVANCE is the first and only osteoporosis medication to provide unsurpassed fracture prevention at the hip and spine in a single once-weekly tablet containing FOSAMAX (alendronate, 70 mg) and a weekly dose of vitamin D (colecalciferol, 2800 IU), which aids calcium absorption, an important process for bone strength.
Awareness presentations by MSD and free screening by GE Healthcare using their Imaging Bone Ultrasonometer will be conducted in many organizations in the UAE such as Department of Civil Aviation and its strategic partners Dubai Duty Free, Immigration, Emirates Airlines, Dnata, Customs and Dubai Police, Etisalat, Dubai Municipality and Abu Dhabi Ladies Club to name a few.
Participating in the press conference was Dr. Tarek Rahbani, MSD's representative and Fosavance Product Manager. ‘According to studies involving 2,821 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, conducted by Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), 81% of postmenopausal women in the Middle East are not getting enough Vitamin D,’ says Dr. Tarek.
Studies have also shown that postmenopausal women taking vitamin D boosted their calcium absorption rates by up to 65 percent. Without enough vitamin D to help absorb calcium, bones can become thin and be more likely to break. This is one of the reasons why it is important for patients with osteoporosis to get enough vitamin D to help protect themselves against bone fractures.
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Also present was Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Suhaili, Associate Professor and Consultant , President of the Pan Arab Osteoporosis Society and Representative of UAE in the Executive board of the Pan Arab Osteoporosis Society.
Dr. Al Suhaili published several papers on Osteoporosis & Bone Densitometry in UAE and was a member of team awarded the Sheikh Hamdan Award on the scientific research; he was involved in on Osteoporosis in women in the UAE.
Dr. Suhaili defined Osteoporosis saying,’ It is a Silent and a debilitating disease which afflicts those over 50 years old and is caused by the depletion of calcium which makes bones more fragile and easier to break’.
Dr. Suhaili continues to mention: ’This year a group of researchers supported by Shaikh Hamdan Awards published their study on UAE women between the age of 20 and 80 years and found that UAE women have low BMD and Vit. D. They don’t exercise enough and eat less calcium rich diets than many nations in Asia and Mediterranean countries. Osteoporosis also affects men - four women for every man; a 4:1 ratio. There should be an action plan to fight osteoporosis through education of children, teachers and family members about this preventable disease’.
There are many risk factors leading to Osteoporosis. Fractures from osteoporosis are about twice as common in women as they are in men, especially after menopause. Also, the older you get, the higher the chance to have osteoporosis. Your bones become weaker as you age. Race and genetics also play a big role - White or of Southeast Asian descent are at greater risk than Black and Hispanic. Other factors are Family history, Corticosteroid medications, Low calcium intake and sedentary lifestyle
Signs and Symptoms
• Back pain (in advance disease)
• Loss of height over time, with an accompanying stooped posture
• Fracture of the vertebrae, wrists, hips or other bones
Screening and diagnosis
Osteoporosis can be diagnosed by measuring bone mineral density (BMD),.
A T-score of more than -1 Standard Deviation means healthy bones; -1 to -2.5 means you are at risk to develop the disease; a score lower than -2.5 indicates osteoporosis.
It is important to have a full screening test after the age of 45 because if it is left untreated it may progress painlessly until a bone breaks. Osteoporosis has no other obvious symptoms other than a fracture when the bone is already weakened. These fractures occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist as these joints are most likely to break as they lose mass and become fragile.
How to keep bones healthy throughout life
• Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise helps build strong bones and slows bone loss
• Nutritious diet with adequate amounts of calcium
• Adequate amounts of vitamin D, which is essential for absorbing calcium. Fosavance can be used to reduce risk of vertebral and hip fractures especially in women with osteoporosis.
• Good posture helps you avoid stress on your spine. When lifting, bend at your knees, and lift with your legs, keeping your upper back straight.
• Never ignore pain and see your doctor immediately
About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc., which operates as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) in countries outside the U.S., is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck discovers, develops, manufacturers and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a non-for-profit service. For more information visit www.merck.com.
