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IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis in Bangkok to address Asian issues

Congress to feature special sessions focused on orthopedics and public health policy in Asia

With projections indicating that more than 50% of all osteoporotic hip fractures will occur in Asia by the year 2050, the prevention and treatment of osteoporotic fractures has become a major health concern in the region.

The IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis (IOF WCO), to be held for the first time in Asia, is an ideal opportunity for health professionals in the region to attend the leading global congress devoted to all aspects of osteoporosis and related bone diseases.

The program will feature sessions of special interest to health professionals (particularly orthopaedists) as well as to journalists and policy officials:

Wednesday, December 3, 2008, from 13.00 – 14.30

IOF Asian Osteoporosis Audit: This media event will provide a preliminary look at an upcoming IOF report on the status of osteoporosis and its prevention and management in Asian countries. Speakers include Professors Ambrish Mithal (India) and Edith Lau (China-Hong Kong) and John Kanis (IOF President).

The public health aspects of osteoporosis will also be the focus of a Meet-the-Expert Session to be led by Professor Edith Lau on December 5 and 6, "Public Health Impact and Prevention of Osteoporosis Fractures in Asia".

Special sessions focused on orthopaedics and fracture repair will include:

Wednesday, December 3, 2008, from 13.00 – 14.30

Orthopaedic Session: Asian Perspective

• Introduction, Suthorn Bavonratanavech, Thailand

• The Orthopaedic Challenge: Impact on our Daily Business, Toshitaka Nakamura, Japan

• Fracture Healing Research, Arata Nakajima, Japan

• Vertebral Fractures in Asia: The Role of Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty in their Management, Ping-Chung Leung, Hong Kong, China

Saturday December 6, 2008 from 17.15 – 18.45

Building Bridges in Bone Health: the Cell, the Tissue, the Patient and Policy

Orthopaedic Symposium organized by Thai Osteoporosis Foundation in collaboration with Novartis. Chaired by Suthorn Bavonratanavech and David Marsh

Session 1 …between fragments

• Fracture Healing in Elderly Patients, Thomas A. Einhorn, U.S.A.

• Is Implant Anchorage Different? Jörg Goldhahn, Switzerland

• Is Treatment Strategy Different? Mathias P. Bostrom, U.S.A.

Session 2 …between specialties

• Co-Diagnostics with Radiologists, Harry K. Genant, U.S.A.

• Co-work with the Physician, Peter Burckhardt, Switzerland

• Co-Management with the Geriatrician, Amy Hoang-Kim, Italy

Session 3 …between doctors and patients

• How to Deliver Care, David Marsh, U.K.

• How to Rehabilitate Elderly Patients, Kristina Åkesson, Sweden

• How to Prevent the Next Fracture, David Little, Australia

To see more details of the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis 2008 scientific program visit www.iofbonehealth.org. Online registration to the congress is available until October 31, with discounted registration fees available to participants from non-OECD countries.

For more information please contact:
International Osteoporosis Foundation
Tel. +41 22 994 0100
Fax. +41 22 994 0101

Or click here: http://www.iofbonehealth.org/contact.html

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 many cases, death. Around the world, one out of three women over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will one out of five men.1,2,3 Osteoporosis can, to a certain extent, be prevented, it can be easily diagnosed and effective treatments are available. Nevertheless many people with osteoporosis and at risk of fracture remain undiagnosed and do not receive treatment.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the only worldwide organization dedicated to the fight against osteoporosis. It brings together scientists, physicians, patient societies and corporate partners. Working with its 188 member patient and medical societies in 91 locations, and other healthcare-related organizations around the world, IOF encourages awareness and prevention, early detection and improved treatment of osteoporosis.

IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis, held every two years, is the only global congress dedicated specifically to all aspects of osteoporosis. Besides the opportunity to learn about the latest science and developments in diagnosis, treatment and the most recent socio-economic studies, participants have the chance to meet and exchange ideas with other physicians from around the world. All aspects of osteoporosis will be covered during the Congress which will comprise lectures by invited speakers presenting cutting edge research in the field, and a large number of oral presentations and poster sessions selected from submitted abstracts. Meet the Expert Sessions covering 22 key topics relating to diagnosis and management of osteoporosis are also on the program.

1. Melton U, Chrischilles EA, Cooper C et al. How many women have osteoporosis? Journal of Bone Mineral Research, 1992; 7:1005-10
2. Kanis JA et al. Long-term risk of osteoporotic fracture in Malmo. Osteoporos Int, 2000; 11:669-674
3. Melton LJ, et al. Bone density and fracture risk in men. JBMR. 1998; 13:No 12:1915

For more information on osteoporosis and IOF please visit: http://www.iofbonehealth.org

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