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| |  Non-Hormonal Treatment Can Prevent Osteoporosis MONTREAL, QC -- February 19, 1998 -- A study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that bone loss can be halted in more than 86 percent of postmenopausal women with a non-hormonal treatment. The EPIC study (Early Post-menopausal Interventional Cohort Study), concluded that women taking Fosamax(R) 5 mg (alendronate sodium) daily either stopped losing bone mass or experienced an increase in bone mass at the hip, spine, wrist and total body. In effect, the EPIC study demonstrates that it is possible to act to prevent the onset of osteoporosis and keep bone mass above the fracture threshold. "The EPIC Study provides clinicians with the evidence that a safe and highly effective non-hormonal approach to osteoporosis prevention is beneficial for the vast majority of post-menopausal women," said Dr. Suzanne Morin, internist, Bone Center, Montreal General Hospital. "This is very exciting for women who cannot tolerate hormones but need to protect their bones." The EPIC Study is an extensive, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-year study of 1,609 post-menopausal women between the ages of 45 and 59. Women taking Fosamax 5 mg gained bone mineral density while women in the placebo group experienced a significant loss in bone mineral density - moving them closer to osteoporosis and their fracture threshold. Until recently, hormone replacement therapy was the only treatment option women had for the prevention of osteoporosis, but side effects associated with hormonal approaches are a concern to many women. The authors said that Fosamax 5 mg is effective in preventing bone loss in post-menopausal women without causing any serious side effects. A recently published Canadian study warned of an upcoming and problematic fracture epidemic in this country unless preventive measures are taken by individuals to strengthen their bones. "Osteoporosis currently affects almost 1.5 million people in Canada and we expect that number to increase dramatically as the population ages. However we are currently seeing an increase in the rate of fracture,” Dr. Morin said. “Canadians, especially post-menopausal women, need to take action to strengthen their bones." Osteoporotic fractures currently cost Canadians approximately $1.3 billion per year, primarily in hospitalization, outpatient care and long-term care costs. Over the course of the next 25 years, the costs related to osteoporotic fractures are projected to exceed $32.5 billion. In 1993, osteoporosis-related fractures accounted for more than 643,000 hospital days and 47,000 outpatient visits. An additional 23,000 people required long term care. Hip fractures alone accounted for 465,000 days in hospital. In 1993-94 there were an estimated 23,375 hip fractures in Canada. Of those who break their hips, approximately seven per cent die before they leave the hospital and a total of 20 per cent die within one year. Characterized by a weakening of the bones, osteoporosis often leads to fractures, primarily of the hip, wrist and spine. Women are most susceptible to develop the disease because of the loss of estrogen after menopause, however as many as one-in-eight men over the age of 50 has osteoporosis. Prevention of bone loss, starting early but continuing throughout life, is critical to preventing osteoporosis and the potentially deadly fractures associated with the disease. Post-menopausal women, as the highest risk group, should be particularly concerned with minimizing risk and should discuss lifestyle choices to prevent bone loss with their physicians. A sedentary lifestyle, inadequate calcium and vitamin D consumption, smoking, caffeine and alcohol consumption can all increase an individual's risk for developing osteoporosis. Regular weight bearing activity and daily calcium intake, either through dairy products or supplements, can help but are generally not sufficient to prevent the disease. Other risk factors for osteoporosis, which cannot be controlled through life-style choices include: a family history of osteoporosis; gender (women are more susceptible); age (50 or older); menopause, either natural or surgical; prolonged hormonal imbalances; and medications such as cortisone related compounds. More information on: Fosamax
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