More than 1000 healthcare professionals from across the GCC, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe region, recently gathered in Dubai to discuss new data and advancements in the field of osteoporosis.

This was the first official regional meeting of the International Osteoporosis Foundation and the event coincided with World Osteoporosis Day on October 20.

It was held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry, UAE, and president of the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services.

Osteoporosis is a disease which significantly reduces the quality and density of bone, resulting in increased incidence of fracture. The most common areas of fracture include  hip, spine and wrist, and the risk increases significantly with age, particularly in women.

According to the World Health Organisation, Osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million women worldwide, with most sufferers over the age of 60.

Dr Basel Masri, co-chairman of the Meeting Scientific and Organizing Committee of the congress was on hand at the four day event, where he commented on the significance of this disease across the region.

'Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent disease in this region and constitutes a major burden economically; post-fracture hospitalization may last for weeks, and can require a significant amount of medical attention,' Dr Masri stated.

'Patients may also suffer on personal and societal levels, as they start to lose height, self-esteem and progressively their independence,' he noted.

The meeting also highlighted clinical treatments of osteoporosis and presented regionally relevant statistics and information on the disease.

Speakers from across the Middle-East and Africa along with international key opinion leaders presented cutting-edge scientific and clinical data related to osteoporosis.

During the congress, a session was dedicated to recent findings on the efficacy of Strontium ranelate in preventing fractures in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.

Prof J-Y Reginster, president of the European Congress on Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis commented on the efficacy and safety of Strontium ranelate in different patient profiles.

'Strontium ranelate has been in the market for nearly a decade now and we are lucky to have this product for all healthcare professionals to manage their post-menopausal patients with Osteoporosis,' he remarked.

'What makes Strontium ranelate different is its proven efficacy and safety in all types of patients whatever their baseline risk factors are,' Reginster said.

'These benefits are due to its ability to help patients with osteoporosis build new, strong and healthy bone. In addition, patients can safely be protected over at least 10 years with no risk of atypical fractures and no need for a drug holiday,' he explained.

'In addition to pharmalogical treatment, diets high in calcium and protein, exposure to Vitamin D and daily exercise are all credited with osteoporosis prevention,' Reginster added.-TradeArabia News Service