The Epidemiology of Osteoporosis

Abstract

In the past 3 decades, the incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture increased in Hong Kong Chinese by 2-fold to reach an incidence of approximately 10 per 1000 in women and men who are 70 years of age or older. It has been projected that 50% of all hip fractures in the world will occur in Asia by the next century. The bone mineral density of Asian populations is comparable to that of whites after adjusting for height and weight. Physical inactivity, a low dietary calcium intake, and falls have been found to be major risk factors for hip fractures in Asia. Other risk factors are cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and multiparity. Population strategies to increase physical activity and calcium intake and to prevent falls in Oriental populations will be effective in the prevention of osteoporosis and hip fracture because of the high attributable risk for these factors.