P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Osteoporosis is the most common health problem among the elderly in Hong Kong.  Fifty percent of elderly women and 30% of elderly men have osteoporosis.  Last year, 4000 elderly subjects fractured their hips.  It is projected that this number will increase by 10% every year to double in 10 years.  Osteoporosis accounts for at least 15% of health care expenditure in orthopedic services and 3% of Hospital Authority budget. Currently, 20% of the elderly in Hong Kong are disabled due to osteoporosis.

The Osteoporosis Research Programme of The Chinese University of Hong Kong has a 15 years history and is the only research programme in Hong Kong focusing on osteoporosis.  A multidisciplinary approach has been successfully adopted to investigate the etiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. 

Researchers have found that 30% osteoporosis may be due to genetic factors while 70% due to lifestyle factors.  Maintaining a healthy lifestyle from childhood to old age can prevent osteoporosis, especially important is to maintain a calcium intake of at least 800 mg per day and at least half an hour of load bearing exercise every day.  Postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density should consult a doctor about taking hormonal replacement therapy.  Normal ranges have been established to facilitate diagnosis of osteoporosis in the territory.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong has also led 12 other Asian pacific countries in establishing the Asian pacific Osteoporosis Foundation.  The mission of the foundation is to promote research, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in the Asian Pacific region.  Hong Kong will help other Asian countries to start research and establish guidelines for osteoporosis.  A world alliance will be formed by the Asian Pacific Osteoporosis Foundation, the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the US and the International Osteoporosis Foundation.  The world alliance will seek to promote bone health and the welfare of osteoporotic patients.  The Hong Kong Osteoporosis Foundation has also been formed to support this mission and Hong Kong is expected to be the world focus of all future osteoporosis activities. 

According to the guidelines recently issued by the World Health Organization, bone mineral density measurement is recommended in elderly subjects in the presence of any of the following conditions:
- Deformed vertebra seen on X-Ray
- Loss of height and thoracic kyphosis
- Previous fracture from standing height
- Prolonged corticosteroid therapy
- Chronic endocrine disorders
- Hypogonadism in men and women
- A maternal history of hip fracture
- A body mass index (<19 Kg/m2)
If the bone mineral density is lower than 0.68 g/cm2 at the spine or 0.54 g/cm2 at the hip, drug treatment is required. 

However, in Hong Kong, the WHO recommendation has not yet been adopted by the Government.  There are no targeted services whereby subjects at high risk can have their bone density measured and they can only go to private hospitals.  The setting up of the Osteoporosis Diagnostic Laboratory at CUHK is to help the elderly and needy patients. 

The University hopes to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of diagnosing and treating subjects at high risk of osteoporotic fractures, so that this approach can be adopted by the future health care system.  The University will proceed to raise more resources so that more old and poor patients can be helped in the future.  The Laboratory is supported by the Oriental Press Charitable Fund Association.