Consider a condition that drains away bone ﾖ the hardest, most durable substance in the body. It happens slowly, over years, so that often neither doctor or patient is aware of weakening bones until one snaps unexpectedly. This is why osteoporosis is called the silent time-bomb. It is the primary case of hip fracture, which leads to permanent disability and sometimes death.

The University of Glasgow is bringing together leading health experts to address a one-day conference on "Falls, Fractures, Food, Fitness and Medicines - Treating and Preventing Osteoporosis". The conference will inform health professionals from throughout Scotland on current treatment and prevention strategies employed in osteoporosis therapy including diet, medicine and exercise.

Conference speakers include:

Dr Aileen Keel, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Scottish Executive who said, "I am delighted this conference is taking place in Glasgow to provide health and education professionals from throughout Scotland with information on current prevention and treatment strategies for osteoporosis, including issues around smoking, diet, exercise and drug therapies. The conference is also being held on the same day as the National Guidelines for the Management of Osteoporosis in are being launched by SIGN in Edinburgh."

Dr Helen MacDonald, from the Osteoporosis Research Unit, Woolmanhill Hospital, Aberdeen will providing an update on the nutritional factors influencing bone health. She say's " Bone health is not all about calcium and how much milk you drink. There is growing scientific evidence that fruit and vegetables are important too. A balance diet with some sunshine is what is recommended"

Anne Simpson, National Osteoporosis Society Co-ordinator said, "One in 3 women and one in 12 men over the age 50 will develop osteoporosis and with Scotland's ageing population we are facing a huge problem. Contrary to popular beliefs, it is largely preventable and treatable and is still not being adequately treated although it would be most effective to do so. It currently costs the National Health Service more than £1 billion to treat each year".

Dr Faisal Ahmed, Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology & Bone Metabolism, Yorkhill Hospital, who will be speaking on bone health in children will be stressing the importance of getting people to start thinking about bone health from an early age as the best way to prevent osteoporosis is to begin early ﾖ

"Bone mineral content and bone mineral density increase from infancy and peak in early adulthood and optimising peak bone mass (the maximum bone mass achieved at skeletal maturity) would be an effective way of reducing the risk of osteoporosis fractures in later life. Although genetic influences are a primary determinant of bone mass, non-genetic influences, particularly nutrition, physical activity levels and sex hormones also play a key role.

Increased calcium or dairy product consumption and exercise may enhance bone acquisition during childhood and adolescence. At present, it is not known whether the benefits are maintained once these factors are withdrawn. Improvements in bone mass have been found to persist one year after cessation of supplementation with foods fortified with calcium derived from milk. Other factors which play a role in influencing bone health include phosphorus, sodium, potassium and other minerals, vitamins C and K, caffeine, alcohol, body weight and smoking."

Statistics have shown that many people in the UK are getting enough exercise to keep their bones healthy. Anne Murray, Senior Physiotherapist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary who will be speaking on the Glasgow Physiotherapy Service for Osteoporosis says, "Exercise is an important contribution to make to the management of osteoporosis by maintaining bone density in post-menopausal women. In addition, regular exercise can reduce the risks of falls, and above all, improve quality of life."

Fiona Borrowman, HEBS Health in Later Life Programme Manager, said "Falls in later life can cause serious injuries, including fractures, osteoporosis further increases this risk. Falling affects the quality of life for a huge percentage of people and families in Scotland. Nearly a third of those over 65 have reported a fall in the last year, however the actual number is likely to be higher as many falls go unreported.

By the age of 80 over 40% of people of people have reported falling. Even trips that don't result in injury can lead to a fear of falling which in turn leads to a loss of confidence and increased risk of future falls. It is also important to realise that falls do not have to be a normal part of ageing, and there are things we can do to reduce risk. Today's conference will heighten awareness of this issue with professionals from all over Scotland"

Other speakers include Dr Alastair McLellan, who will speak on the new SIGN guidelines on osteoporosis which are launched on the 28 May 03 and Dr Stephen Gallacher on medicine and osteoporosis

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For further information contact: Carolyn Fraser Short Course Development & Conference Manager Glasgow University Division of Developmental Medicine Human Nutrition Yorkhill Hospitals Glasgow G3 8SJ Tel: 01241-201-9264; Fax: 0141-201-0674 E-mail: cf24f@clinmed.gla.ac.uk

or University of Glasgow Press Office on 0141-330-3535

On the day call mobile: 079 6656 1474

Programme of day

Falls, Fractures, Food, Fitness and Medicines ? Treating & Preventing Osteoporosis

9.30 ? 10.15 Registration

10.15 ? 10.20 Welcome from the morning chair Dr Harry Burns, Director Public Health, Greater Glasgow NHS Board

10.20 ? 10.35 Opening address Dr Aileen Keel, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Scottish Executive

10.35 ? 11.00 Overview on osteoporosis and SIGN guidelines Dr Alastair McLellan, Consultant Physician/Endocrinologist, Bone Metabolism Unit, Western Infirmary, Glasgow

11.10 ? 11.40 Questions and discussion

Refreshment Break

11.40 ? 12.05 Selecting the right treatment for the right patient Dr Stephen Gallacher, Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow

12.05 ? 12.10 Questions and discussion

12.10 ? 12.35 Implementing falls prevention guidelines and examples of good practice Margaret Anderson, Specialist Nurse Practitioner Gerontology, South Glasgow NHS Acute Trust

12.35 ? 12.40 Questions and discussion

12.40 ? 1.00 Communicating the message: Preventing fractures Fiona Borrowman, Programmes Manager, Health In Later Life, NHS Health Scotland

1.00 ? 1.05 Questions and discussion

1.05 ? 2.05 Lunch

2.05 ? 2.10 Afternoon chairs opening comments Dr Christine Edwards, Senior Lecturer, Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow

2.10 ? 2.40 Nutritional factors influencing bone health in adulthood Dr Helen Macdonald, University of Aberdeen/Osteoporosis Research Unit, Woolmanhill Hospital, Aberdeen

2.40 ? 2.45 Questions and discussion

2.45 ? 3.10 Glasgow Physiotherapy Service for Osteoporosis Ann Murray, Senior Physiotherapist, Glasgow Osteoporosis Physiotherapy Service

3.10 ? 3.15 Questions and discussion

3.15 ? 3.45 Refreshment break

3.45 ? 4.10 Osteoporosis and bone disease in children Dr Faisal Ahmed, Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology and Bone Metabolism, Yorkhill NHS Trust, Glasgow

4.10 ? 4.20 Questions and discussion

4.20 ? 4.35 The Work of the National Osteoporosis Society ? raising awareness of a major public health problem Anne Simpson, Co-ordinator for Scotland, and Claire Hammond, Education Advisor, National Osteoporosis Society

4.35 ? 4.45 Questions, Discussion and Closing Remarks

First published: 27 May 2003