P R E S S   R E L E A S E

 
Researchers at the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong has conducted intensive research into the genetics, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and concluded that although cases of osteoporosis are increasing in an alarming speed, it can be prevented.  

An epidemic of osteoporosis is occurring in Hong Kong.  Fifty percent of postmenopausal women are osteoporotic, according to normal range data established by The Chinese University of Hong Kong.  In 1996, 3,920 elderly men and women fractured their hip due to osteoporosis. The health care expenditure for treating and rehabilitating such fractures accounts for 2% of the total hospital budget in Hong Kong.  The total number of hip fracture is projected to be doubled, i.e. 7,641 in the year 2020.  This will be a major burden to the health care system in Hong Kong.  

The Osteoporosis Research Programme of the Chinese University undertook to measure the frequency of osteoporosis genes in Hong Kong Chinese.  In Caucasians, the vitamin D receptor genotype 'BB' is shown to cause osteoporosis.  However, only 1% of Hong Kong Chinese has this genotype.  The Estrogen Receptor genotype 'PP' is also related to osteoporosis in Caucasians.  However, only 1% of Chinese has this genotype.  Despite the low genetic susceptibility, osteoporosis has become 300% more prevalent in the last 30 years.

Recent research indicates that lifestyle changes in Hong Kong is associated with high occurrence rate of osteoporosis.  The Hong Kong diet with high animal protein, high salt and low calcium is detrimental to bones.  Large scale population studies conducted in Hong Kong Chinese revealed that the dietary calcium intake was around 400mg per day - less than 50% of that in Caucasians.  Moreover, elderly whose dietary calcium intake was in the lowest 25% fractured their hip and spine twice as frequently as controls.  Maintenance of an adequate calcium intake from childhood onwards is important in maintaining bone density.  Absorption studies indicated that the absorption of calcium from green vegetables and soya products are as good diary products, and increased intake of such foods would be important in maintaining bone health.

The adoption of a sedentary life-style can best account for the recent epidemic of osteoporosis in Hong Kong Chinese. To attain the highest peak bone density and to prevent bone loss, good nutrition should be coupled with exercise.  Less than 5% of the Hong Kong population perform recreational exercise regularly.  CUHK research shows that elderly who do not walk outdoors every day are twice as likely t1 fall and fracture their hip than controls.  The Chinese University of Hong Kong is investigating the health benefits of Tai Chi.

Subjects at high risk of fracture such as elderly subjects with a fracture history, subjects on long-term steroid therapy and subjects with extremely low bone mineral density i.e. <0.6gm/cm² should definitely be treated by drugs.  Clinical trials conducted by in Chinese University of Hong Kong demonstrated that such drugs as alendronate increase bone mineral density by 4% per year; and these drugs should be very effective in preventing fractures.