Is osteoporosis serious? 

Osteoporotic fractures can profoundly influence the economic burden of healthcare, quality of life and productivity. Research has shown that the economic burden of osteoporosis is comparable to that of other major chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and asthma. It has also been reported that osteoporosis results in more hospital stays than stroke, myocardial infarction or breast cancer. 

Hip fractures, in particular, are associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality: less than half of those breaking a hip return to their pre-injury productivity; 17% will require long-term care, while one-quarter of sufferers die within a year of breaking a hip. 

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, the annual direct costs of treating osteoporotic fractures of people in the workplace are estimated to be approximately $1.9 billion in Canada. These costs include long-term, hospital and chronic care, doctor visits, physical therapy, orthopaedic supplies and medications. What’s more, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporotic fractures result in huge indirect costs that are rarely calculated. Indirect costs include loss of income to the employer, loss of productivity to the employer, costs to a country’s social welfare system, including unemployment and disability pay, health insurance payments and rises in insurance premiums.

The prevalence and cost of osteoporosis are expected to increase as the population ages, and people are staying in the work force longer. According to Statistics Canada, there is some evidence suggesting that Canadians in their late forties and early fifties have pushed back their planned age of retirement. On top of that, there has been a recent increase in the labour force participation rates of older workers in Canada. 

These trends suggest that in the not-toodistant future there will be more people with osteoporosis in the workplace than ever before. This, in turn, will have a profound impact for both employers and employees. 

How common is osteoporosis? 

Often referred to as the “silent epidemic,” osteoporosis affects more than 1.4 million Canadians, according to Osteoporosis Canada. Although the disease can strike anyone at any age, the risk of the disease is higher in women  and older people (particularly after menopause in women). Osteoporosis Canada estimates that one in four women over the age of 50 has osteoporosis, while at least one in eight men over 50 has the disease. Given Canada’s aging population, osteoporosis will continue to be a significant issue for the general public and for employers. 

What treatments are currently available?  

Treatment for osteoporosis typically combines lifestyle modification (diet and exercise) and medications. Calcium and vitamin D are essential to bone health, and many people with or at high risk for osteoporosis can benefit from consulting with a registered dietitian to learn how to meet their nutritional needs.

Exercise has long been recognized as an important factor in preventing osteoporosis. Weight-bearing  exercises, particularly those that put stress on the bones (e.g., tennis, squash, stair climbing, basketball and hiking), have been shown to effectively build bone mass. While lower impact activities (such as swimming and walking) don’t build bone mass, they are beneficial as they improve balance and build muscles, which can help prevent fracture-inducing falls.

Along with these lifestyle improvements, medications—if taken correctly—can help slow bone loss and reduce the risk of fracture. However, many drugs carry significant tolerability and compliance issues that impact their effectiveness.