Osteoporosis threatens the senior population in the Middle East

Osteoporosis is a growing concern in the Middle East, which is facing the highest proportional increase in hip fracture rates in the world. As a result, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), in cooperation with the Emirates Osteoporosis Society, is calling on doctors from throughout the region to attend an important three-day educational meeting in Abu Dhabi.

The invitation follows on from the recent World Osteoporosis Day call to action which raised global awareness of the role of nutrition as a key component of bone health and osteoporosis prevention. An analysis of the new IOF Calcium Calculator results revealed that 88% of people from the Middle-East and Africa region who used the Calculator, were getting significantly less than the recommended daily allowance of calcium as outlined by the Institute of Medicine. Low calcium and vitamin D intake, along with other factors, can raise the risk of bone loss and the development of osteoporosis at older age.

The IOF Regionals 3rd Middle East & Africa Osteoporosis Meeting, to be held in Abu Dhabi from December 5-7, 2015 will seek to raise awareness and increase knowledge among physicians. The Meeting is targeted at all health professionals with an interest in this disease, and especially for endocrinologists, rheumatologists, and orthopaedists.

To register and learn more about the meeting visit http://www.iofbonehealth.org/abudhabi-2015

Diabetes is another widespread chronic disease which has an enormous impact in the Middle East. In fact, close to one in 10 adults in the region has diabetes and cases are rising rapidly. As diabetics are now recognized as being at increased risk of fracture, a dedicated pre-meeting workshop will tackle the issue of fracture prevention in this growing patient population.

Dr Abdulrahim Al Suhaili, President of the Emirates Osteoporosis Society (EOS) and Co-Chair of the Meeting stressed the importance of the upcoming Meeting as a key research and educational forum for doctors in the region.  He stated, “As a disease of increasing relevance, osteoporosis is not adequately addressed during medical training in most countries. For this reason, I encourage all health professionals who deal with osteoporotic patients to learn the latest management techniques by joining us in Abu Dhabi. ”

The Meeting offers attendees the opportunity to earn 18 European continuing education credits. EACCME credits are recognized by the American Medical Association towards the Physicians' Recognition Award. The Meeting is officially endorsed by Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and the Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA).