The Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis has launched the first pan-Asia Pacific clinical practice standards for screening, diagnosis, and management of osteoporosis. The standards aim to provide optimal care for high-risk groups and reduce the burden of osteoporosis worldwide.
A new review describes the current status of commercial assays for Procollagen type I N-propeptide (PINP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) in blood. The authors recommend harmonization or standardization of these assays to improve clinical implementation and international multicentre trials.
A new report warns of significant increases in osteoporosis patients and fragility fractures in Eurasian countries, with expected demographic changes and poor diagnostic resources exacerbating the problem. The report highlights the need for urgent action to address this growing health issue.
A novel taxonomic classification of rare congenital diseases with an impact on bone physiology has been established. The classification system groups disorders according to systemic disease, genetic defect, pathophysiology of bone phenotype, and therapy, providing a framework for diagnosis and treatment.
The new European consensus statement provides practical recommendations for diagnosing and treating osteoporosis in advanced stage CKD. The guidelines aim to reduce the care gap and promote proactive fragility fracture prevention in high-risk patients.
A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on osteoporosis management worldwide. With FRAX fracture risk calculations down by 58% in April 2020 alone, it's estimated that over 0.5 million patients were excluded from risk assessment and necessary treatment within a 3-month period.
The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) is widely used to predict major osteoporotic fractures, but experts warn that failing to calibrate for ethnicity could lead to large errors in fracture risk assessment. Ethnicity-specific models have been calibrated for specific populations, and their inclusion is crucial for accurate stratifica...
Dr. Famida Jiwa, President and CEO of Osteoporosis Canada, received the IOF CNS Medal for her outstanding work in expanding osteoporosis awareness and outreach globally. She has led significant programs to improve patient care and education in Canada.
Dr. Daniel Pinto has been recognized with the prestigious award for his research on cost-effectiveness and patient preferences in arthritis management strategies. He is a specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and a member of several IOF committees.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation's Skeletal Rare Diseases Academy Awards recognized five young researchers for their high-quality research on rare disorders of the skeleton. The winners received a certificate and grant, valued at $1000, in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
Researchers emphasize the importance of implementing effective post-fracture care coordination programs to reduce secondary fractures, frailty, and mortality in older patients. A novel FLS benefits calculator has been introduced to support decision-making at national and local levels.
Dr Michael R. McClung received the IOF Olof Johnell Science Award for his significant contributions to osteoporosis research, guideline development, and clinical education. He has been recognized internationally for his work in bone density testing, therapy development, and clinical guidelines.
Dr Basil Masri was awarded the IOF Medal of Achievement in 2020 for his significant contributions to understanding and managing osteoporosis. He has also made notable achievements in developing registries and tools, such as the Jordanian Hip Fracture registry and FRAX tool.
Dr Stefania Maggi, a leading geriatrician and epidemiologist, has been awarded the ESCEO-IOF Herbert Fleisch Medal for her groundbreaking work in advancing the epidemiology of chronic conditions associated with aging. Her research focuses on healthy ageing and disease prevention programs.
Three experts, Professor Maria-Luisa Brandi, Dr. Lee Joon-Kiong, and Professor Ego Seeman, have been awarded the IOF President's Award for their contributions to osteoporosis research, education, and public awareness. The award recognizes their efforts to expand the Foundation's programs and outreach in the scientific and policy spheres.
The virtual WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2020 Congress featured over 210 live and pre-recorded sessions on new clinical research and advances in osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and related diseases. The Congress attracted a record number of registrants and was accredited by the EACCME with 16 European CME credits.
Recent research provides state-of-the-art knowledge on phosphate metabolism, shedding light on underlying mechanisms and advances in managing hypo- and hyperphosphatemia. Expert reviews highlight potential new directions for future research to benefit patients with related disorders.
A new study quantifies the effect of a recent sentinel fracture on 10-year fracture probability using data from Iceland's fracture register. The findings provide probability ratios to adjust conventional FRAX estimates by site, enabling early identification and treatment of high-risk individuals.
A comprehensive clinical review provides updated guidance on factors affecting peak bone mass, distinguishing low bone mass from proper osteoporosis in young women. The authors outline management and treatment options for premenopausal osteoporosis, including the use of antiresorptive and bone-forming drugs.
The new guidelines provide a standardized protocol for imaging distal radius and tibia sites, as well as recommendations on reporting results. The guidelines aim to facilitate the comparison of results across studies by minimizing technical variation in scan acquisition and analysis.
A global survey of 121 fracture liaison services from 31 countries found that adherence to basic DXA quality and reporting procedures was confirmed by less than 50% of services. The study emphasizes the need for targeted education for DXA machine operators and interpreters, particularly in adopting globally-endorsed standards.
A new study reveals an alarming treatment gap for fragility fractures in six European countries, resulting in estimated annual costs of €37.5 billion in 2017, which is expected to increase by 23% to €47.4 billion by 2030.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation has developed a new patient-level performance indicator set to measure the effectiveness of fracture liaison services (FLS) and guide quality improvement. The set includes 11 indicators that assess various aspects of FLS, including patient outcomes and treatment recommendations.
The journal has announced its most frequently cited papers from 2018-19, which will be freely accessible. These papers focus on various aspects of musculoskeletal research, including bone metabolism, osteoimmunology, and gut-muscle axis.
Bone mineral density (BMD) and finite element analysis (FEA) reflect actual femur strength, making them effective surrogate markers for hip bone strength. These estimates predict hip fracture risks, potentially leading to shorter and less expensive clinical trials.
Recent expert reviews provide valuable updates on vitamin D's role in maternal health, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disease, and muscle. Key findings include the importance of routine vitamin D supplementation in childhood and pregnancy to support calcium metabolism.
The new position paper provides practical guidance for managing postmenopausal osteoporosis, including easy-to-use algorithms that illustrate decision pathways based on absolute risk of fracture. The paper aims to offer the most appropriate interventions to patients, with a focus on targeting therapeutic interventions for low, high and...
For high-risk patients, treatment continuation outweighs rare side effects; rapid bone loss occurs after denosumab discontinuation. Long-term studies showed no increased fracture risk with continued treatment.
A new IOF review emphasizes the importance of long-term follow-up to maintain bone health in childhood cancer survivors. The study highlights the need for careful monitoring and management to prevent premature onset of low bone mineral density and improve fracture risk.
Recent advances in focal and sclerotic bone diseases have led to a clearer characterization of conditions like Paget's disease, fibrous dysplasia, and Camurati-Engelmann disease. This improved understanding has enabled the development of new therapeutic approaches for these disorders.
Professor Jonathan D. Adachi was awarded the prestigious Herbert A. Fleisch ESCEO-IOF Medal for his exceptional contributions to bone and osteoporosis research. He has advanced knowledge about risk factors and therapies for osteoporosis through epidemiological research and clinical studies.
The IOF Calcium Academy Awards honored five researchers for their new research on calcium and its role in bone health. The awards aimed to advance scientific knowledge in the field of bone nutrition and support the next generation of researchers.
Dr. Sabico recognized for outstanding scientific merit in vitamin D research, guiding local guidelines for osteoporosis prevention. He is a future thought-leader in musculoskeletal health, advancing awareness in the Middle East region.
Dr. Harry K. Genant received the 2019 International Osteoporosis Foundation Medal of Achievement for his innovative work in non-invasive and quantitative imaging methods, advancing knowledge on bone fragility and fracture risk assessment. This award recognizes his significant contributions to osteoporosis research.
Dr Varta Babalyan, President of the Armenian Osteoporosis Association, has been recognized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) for her dedication to osteoporosis prevention and awareness. She was awarded the IOF CNS Medal in 2019 for her work on expanding IOF's messages and outreach in Armenia.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has recognized Greg Lyubomirsky and Radmila Matijevic for their contributions to IOF and dedication to advancing education and awareness of osteoporosis. The award is presented annually to individuals representing IOF member societies, highlighting their exceptional commitment to the field.
Professor John A. Kanis has been recognized with the prestigious IOF Olof Johnell Science Award for his pioneering work in musculoskeletal research and policy implementation. The award acknowledges his development of FRAX models to calculate absolute fracture risk, which has revolutionized clinical practice.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases established recommendations for economic evaluations in osteoporosis. These guidelines aim to improve transparency and methodologic standards, promoting high-quality methodolo...
The new guidelines review and update the 2013 European guidance for diagnosing and managing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Key findings include the importance of evaluating bone microstructure and using FRAX tools in fracture risk assessment, as well as the need for long-term dietary intakes and monitoring drug treatment.
Hematologic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) survivors are at risk of bone loss and osteoporosis, increasing the likelihood of fragility fractures. The IOF expert Working Group on Cancer and Bone Disease provides clinical guidance for monitoring, evaluation, and treatment of bone loss in these patients.
A new expert review outlines the clinical characteristics of bone fragility in adults with diabetes and provides valuable insights for diagnosis and treatment. The review highlights recent studies on bone mineral density, biochemical markers, and fracture prediction to inform clinicians about the optimal approach to managing bone healt...
A new expert consensus review found that a balanced diet with sufficient protein intake can benefit adult bone health, particularly in seniors with osteoporosis. Adequate calcium intake is crucial to support the benefits of dietary protein on bone density and reduce fracture risk.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation's new interactive map reveals wide global variation in calcium intake, with low levels prevalent in Asia and Latin America. The map highlights the need for public health strategies to increase calcium intake throughout the lifespan.
Professor Nicholas Harvey received the prestigious IOF Medal of Achievement for his outstanding work in understanding early determinants of fracture risk and developing novel interventions. He has made significant contributions to the field of osteoporosis through his research and educational initiatives.
Professor Cyrus Cooper has been named the winner of the annual Olof Johnell Science Award, recognizing his internationally recognized contributions to the field of osteoporosis. He leads an internationally competitive programme of research into musculoskeletal disorders, most notably osteoporosis.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation has published country-specific FRAX-based intervention and assessment thresholds for seven Latin American countries, enhancing fracture risk assessment. The thresholds vary significantly across the countries, emphasizing the need for tailored prevention programs.
The FRAX calculator has been widely adopted globally, helping clinicians make informed decisions based on multiple scientifically validated risk factors. A recent study confirms that intervention thresholds based on fracture probabilities are highly effective in targeting high-risk individuals.
A systematic review by the International Osteoporosis Foundation reveals low dietary calcium intake in many Asian and Latin American countries, with the lowest average intake found among China, India, and Indonesia. The study emphasizes the need for increased calcium consumption to promote bone health in these regions.
The IOF Compendium documents the growing global burden of osteoporosis, with projected increases in fractures expected to pose a huge challenge on healthcare systems. The report outlines eight priority actions to stem this burden, including provision of Orthogeriatric and Fracture Liaison Services.
A study found that less than half of detectable vertebral fractures are reported by radiologists, particularly in non-musculoskeletal radiologists. This under-reporting can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, increasing the risk of future hip fractures.