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t the World Congress of the International Foundation for Osteoporosis (IOF) held in Rio de Janeiro from 14 to 18 May, researchers presented the results of their respective studies on a disease that affects woman in two and nearly one in five men after age 50.Osteoporosis is commonly seen as purely a disease of women, men have little awareness of its dangers. The IOF has therefore decided that the World Day against osteoporosis 2004 (October 20) will focus on osteoporosis in men.
Professor John Bilezikan from Columbia University in New York, has insisted on "the lack of studies and reports osteoporosis in men," despite the discovery of a gene responsible for bone fragility.
According to studies conducted in France and Germany, the risk of fractures in men could be reduced by the simultaneous use of vitamin D and risedronate, a substance widely used in the women osteoporosis treatment.
"Among men with a level of vitamin D less than 25 micro gram per litre of blood, the risk of bone loss are two times higher than among those whose rate is higher than normal," said Dr. Pawel Szulc of INSERM in Lyon.
As to risedronate, "according to our data, we can conclude it is also very effective in humans," said Dr. Johann D. Ringe of the University of Cologne.
It is interesting to note that it is possible to find a cause osteoporosis in men cases. The alcoholism, dysfunctional hormonal or taking steroids contribute to bone fragility.
There is however a flat all these scientific advances. According to a study Venezuelan men stop their own osteoporosis treatment after only a few weeks, although it would need two years to test the real effectiveness. It seems that the image of a disease typically female is still well rooted in people's minds.
