Called the “silent thief,” osteoporosis causes no symptoms as long as a bone does not break.
However, the epidemiological study coordinated by Professor Jean-Jacques Body, internist and endocrinologist, demonstrates that 80% of women who have suffered a first fragility fracture, caused by osteoporosis, are not offered specific treatment. “A first fragility fracture, a major warning sign, often goes completely under the radar,” points out Mr. Body. In question ? A lack of information and awareness, both among patients and front-line doctors, about a disease which, according to a recent Sciensano report, affects between 13 and 22% of women (1.8 – 6.6% of men) but which remains poorly known and neglected.
The study thus developed a more reliable prediction tool for the risk of fractures in women over 60 by testing the usefulness of more risk factors. “Among these, there is age, bone mass, a low BMI, other chronic illnesses, or even early menopause. And then, there are also previous fractures which constitute a major risk since they will be followed in almost half of the cases by a second osteoporotic fracture, and so on.”
