New study quantifies total costs of fragility fractures in 6 major European countries

Hip fractures contributed 56% to the overall costs, vertebral fractures 5%, wrist fractures 2% and a combined group of "other" fractures represented 37% of the total. Costs in Germany totaled 9.37 billion Euro, followed by Italy at 6.7 and the UK at 5.8 billion Euro.

The total annual economic burden of all fragility fractures in the six countries studied was found to be 31 billion Euro.

IOF President John Kanis, co-author of the study, stated, "Fragility fractures due to osteoporosis cause pain and disability, often having a severe impact on the quality of life of millions of Europeans. This important study reveals the enormous economic cost of fragility fractures. Prevention of fractures through early risk assessment and identification of those in need of treatment is the key to reducing the costs to national health care systems throughout Europe."

More information: The Burden of Fractures in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. O. Ström et al. Osteoporosis International. DOI 10.1007/s00198-011-1554-9

Provided by International Osteoporosis Foundation