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Most people
are unaware that they have osteoporosis until they suffer
a fracture, and even then it is often not recognized, according
to researchers at the University of California, San Francisco
School of Nursing Institute for Health and Aging.
"This
is a hidden disease in that the diagnosis 'osteoporosis' is
rarely recorded as the main reason for a hospitalization,"
said Wendy Max, PhD, co-director of the UCSFprogram. "In
1998 in California, over 400 people died shortly after suffering
a fracture. Yet, osteoporosis was only listed as the underlying
cause of death for 90 people."
"With
the aging of the baby boomers, we have to educate women and
men about the risks of osteoporosis at early ages to prevent
illness and disability in later ages. It is critical that
we promote early detection so that interventions can prevent
fractures," said Max.
Osteoporosis
affects mostly women, the researchers reported in Osteoporosis
International. Of osteoporosis patients hospitalized, 80 percent
are white and 75 percent are over 65.
The costs
for osteoporosis in California alone in 1998 were estimated
at $2.4 billion, with 64 percent of the cost linked to hip
fracture. Most of the hospital care for osteoporosis patients
was paid by Medicare and the largest cost was for nursing
home care (59 percent of dollars spent).
Source:
Medical Week staff,
week of June 16, 2002
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