Towards a cure for osteoporosis: the UK Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) Osteoporosis Research Roadmap

Excerpt

Osteoporosis is characterised by decreased bone mass and disruption of bone microarchitecture, resulting in reduced bone strength and increased risk of fracture [1]. Approximately one in two women and one in five men will sustain one or more such fragility fractures (that is, occurring as a result of minimal trauma, for example a simple fall) in their remaining lifetime after the age of 50 years [2‐4]. In the UK, approximately 549,000 new fragility fractures occur each year, including 105,000 hip fractures, 86,000 clinical vertebral fractures, and 358,000 fractures at other sites [5, 6]. Fragility fractures often result in severe pain, disability, and reduction in quality of life; major fractures, particularly hip and vertebral fractures, are also associated with increased mortality [4]. Fragility fractures impose a huge economic burden on health and social services, with an estimated annual cost to the National Health Service (NHS) in excess of £4.7 billion [5, 6]; across Europe, the cost approaches €55 billion [6]. …