Is The UK Reaching Breaking Point?

Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 11 Oct 2010 - 4:00 PDT


Leading osteoporosis experts and patient groups are calling for action to improve patient outcomes and care for women affected by osteoporosis in a new report published today. The report, Osteoporosis in the UK at Breaking Point, includes new research demonstrating the true effect osteoporosis has on women and the escalating economic impact on NHS resources.1,2 The report was developed by an expert group of GPs, specialist clinicians, nurses, commissioners, professional and patient groups, a think-tank (International Longevity Centre - UK) and supported by Amgen and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

The new evidence in the report, from Dr Foster, reveals that the number, rate and cost of fractures in the UK amongst women aged over 55 is rising, as is the number of unplanned hospital stays, which has risen by 13% in the last five years.2 At present, 9% of women who are admitted to hospital with a fracture die without returning home.2 A newly commissioned survey in the report shows that osteoporosis affects every aspect of daily life, with 65% of women saying they suffer unwanted pain1 and 43% highlighting the disease's impact on day-to-day tasks such as housework and gardening.1

Baroness Sally Greengross, Chief Executive of the International Longevity Centre - UK, comments: "As the population ages the number of women with osteoporosis will continue to increase and it is vital that we begin to view this disease as a national priority. Fractures can cause a significant amount of pain, disability and loss of independence for an individual and in many cases can be fatal. The Breaking Point report highlights the immediate need to reduce the impact that osteoporosis has on both patients and the economy through effective and timely disease management."

Osteoporosis is a chronic debilitating disease that affects two million women in the UK.3 It causes fragile bones, which can lead to painful and debilitating fractures that can occur following a minor bump or fall. There are some shocking statistics associated with osteoporosis. One in three women over 50 will have a fracture in their lifetime.3 13,800 women die every year in the UK as a result of hip fracture.4 Osteoporosis is often referred to as a 'silent epidemic' as it can go unnoticed until a fracture occurs. One third of women with osteoporosis remain undiagnosed.5 Osteoporosis treatments have been available for more than 10 years but despite this, 68% of women in the UK have stopped taking their medication within one year.6

Paul Mitchell, Chair of the Breaking Point report editorial board comments: "Osteoporosis is a disease that has been on the sidelines of the health and social care agenda for far too long. The Breaking Point report sends out clear calls to action for a revived systematic approach to fracture care and prevention. The government needs to regard osteoporosis as a priority condition; commissioners should ensure fracture liaison services (FLS) are in place in each PCT; GPs should be reviewing patients to identify those at high risk and patients should be demanding more from their fracture prevention care."

The economic burden of osteoporosis looks set to increase as the population ages with the cost of osteoporotic hip fractures to the NHS estimated to be £2 billion a year.7 The FLS approach has been shown to be effective in reducing fracture rates and treatment costs through enabling specially trained nurses to identify women at risk of fracture and ensuring compliance with therapy.7 According to the Department of Health, adopting the FLS model in England could help to save more than £8 million over a five-year period.8 However, a recent audit showed that only 29% of NHS Acute Trusts had a fracture liaison nurse in place.9 With the public consultation on the first NHS Outcomes Framework concluding today,10 the incorporation of hip fracture prevention measures into the Framework could help eliminate healthcare inequalities by stimulating a nation-wide adoption of FLS.

Kieran Mullan, of the Patient's Association and member of the Breaking Point report editorial board comments: "The report highlights the need for women not to put up with osteoporosis in silence. If they have been diagnosed as being at risk of osteoporosis or have had a fracture, all women should be receiving first rate care and have all the information they need to help them make decisions about their treatment. GPs, hospitals, everyone has a role to play in helping them do that."

Notes About the Osteoporosis in the UK at Breaking Point report

The report was supported by Amgen Ltd. and GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd. Sponsorship of the report included payment for a medical writer, honoraria to the editorial board, the House of Lords parliamentary reception and payment to a public relations agency in respect of project management support. The report can be found here. The patient and professional groups involved in the Osteoporosis in the UK at Breaking Point report are:

British Menopause Society: is a registered charity aimed at the medical profession and is open to healthcare professionals specialising in the menopause, including consultants, trainee gynaecologists, GP's and nursing professionals.

International Longevity Centre (ILC): is an independent, non-partisan think-tank dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.

Patients Association: is an independent charity that highlights the concerns and needs of patients, working with Government and a broad range of individuals and organisations to develop better, and more responsive, health services.

Women's Health Concern: provides an independent service to advise, reassure and educate women about their health concerns, to enable them to work in partnership with their own medical practitioners and health advisers.

About the launch of Osteoporosis in the UK at Breaking Point

Osteoporosis in the UK at Breaking Point report will be launched at a reception at the House of Lords on 11 October 2010, hosted by the ILC, which will also include speeches from key specialists in the field of osteoporosis as well as Professor David Oliver, National Clinical Director for Older People at the Department of Health, and Baroness Sally Greengross, Chief Executive of the ILC UK.

About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realise the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives.

1. Online market research conducted by Opinion Health between 20 November - 9 December 2009 among 500 women aged over 55 with postmenopausal osteoporosis

2. Data on file. Dr Foster research commissioned by Amgen 2009

3. NICE technology appraisal guidance 160

4. Osteoporosis facts & figures. National Osteoporosis Society. Downloaded from here. Downloaded 30.11.09

5. DH Prevention Package for Older People: Falls and fractures - Effective interventions in health and social care, 2009

6. Li, L et al. OP54 Non-persistence to anti-osteoporosis medications in the UK using the general practice research database (GPRD) Rheumatology 2010; 49: Supplement 1

7. Protecting fragile bones. A strategy to reduce the impact of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in England. National Osteoporosis Society

8. All-Party Parliamentary Osteoporosis Group fights for local falls and fracture services. Press release, 18.12.09, National Osteoporosis Society

9. The Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit of the Royal College of Physicians, London. National Audit of the Organisation of Services for Falls and Bone Health for Older People. 2009

10. Liberating the NHS: Transparency in outcomes - a framework for the NHS. Department of Health. July 2010

Source:
GlaxoSmithKline

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