Survey shows 90% of adults unaware of men's risk for osteoporosis

Nyon, Switzerland (ots) -

Osteoporosis can lead to painful fractures, disability and early
death, but continues to be ignored by the general public and
neglected by doctors during routine physical check-ups

New survey findings released on World Osteoporosis Day by the
International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), show that on average,
90% of 13,258 adults questioned are unaware of how common
osteoporotic fractures are in men. With one in five men aged 50
years or over affected, the data confirm that although common,
serious and potentially life-threatening, osteoporosis remains a
vastly underestimated and neglected health issue. The multi-
national survey, carried out in adults from 12 countries showed
that this ignorance was universal and independent of gender or
geography.

Prof. John Kanis, President, IOF, said "The sad reality is that by
not knowing their risk, men are leaving themselves vulnerable to a
future of pain, disability and possibly early death. The problem
is being further exacerbated by doctors not addressing the bone
health of their patients during routine check-ups." According to
the survey, men in the 50+ age group who had had a check-up were
18% less likely than women of the same age to have any form of
bone health assessment. This difference was even more pronounced
in certain countries, including USA (31%), Brazil (30%), Belgium
(23%) and Spain (22%).

The survey revealed that:

- 90% were unaware of how common osteoporotic fractures are in
men: 73% underestimated the risk of fracture in men and a further 17%
said they 'didn't know'.

- 71% of those aged 50+ (the population group most affected by the
disease) underestimated the risk of osteoporosis in men.

- Only 8% of men, compared to 10% of women, aged 50+ correctly
estimated that osteoporotic fractures affect approximately one in
five men worldwide - when the results of all countries were
averaged. UK had the lowest level of awareness with only 3%
answering correctly, followed by Belgium (6%), Jordan (6%), USA
(7%), Spain (8%), UAE (8%), India (9%), Brazil (11%), Australia
(12%), South Africa (14%), Mexico (18%), and China (20%). It must
be noted that although there are national and regional variations
in the osteoporosis burden, the majority of those surveyed vastly
underestimated risk.

- An average of 53% of male respondents aged 50+ who had visited a
doctor for a routine physical check-up said that they had never
had any form of bone assessment during a check-up, including: been
asked about bone health; had risk factors for osteoporosis
discussed; questioned if they had previously broken a bone; or had
been referred for a bone mineral density test. This compares to
35% of women aged 50+.

About the survey

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.
Fieldwork was carried out online in July 2014* in the following
countries/sample sizes: Australia (1000), Belgium (1000), Brazil
(1001), China (1031), India (1045), Jordan (1001), Mexico (1032),
South Africa (502), Spain (1029), United Arab Emirates (1026),
United Kingdom (2424), USA (1167). Figures have been weighted and
are representative of all adults (aged 18+) in the respective
country.

*Survey fact sheet: www.worldosteoporosisday.org/press-centre

World Osteoporosis Day, observed annually on 20 October, marks a
year-long campaign www.worldosteoporosisday.org

World Osteoporosis Day is supported globally by unrestricted
educational grants from Amgen, UCB, Fonterra, Lilly, MSD, Pfizer
Consumer Healthcare

About International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)

IOF is the world's largest NGO dedicated to the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related
musculoskeletal diseases. www.iofbonehealth.org

Media contact:
Charanjit K. Jagait, IOF
Phone +41 79 874 52 08,
cjagait@iofbonehealth.org