RESUMO
Fragility fractures are the most severe complications of osteoporosis and the poor mechanical properties of bone can make fixation and healing of these fracture extremely difficult. The role of orthopaedic surgeons does not end in skillful fixation of the fractures, but they have the unique opportunity to prevent complications which can negatively affect the patient's quality of life. The best practice for preventing the risk of further fractures in patients presenting fragility fractures includes fall prevention, investigation of possible causes underlying osteoporosis, attention to exercise, calcium and vitamin D supplementation as well as prescription of drugs. Actually two classes of agents can be used for their effect on fracture prevention: antiresorptive and bone forming agents. Systemic therapy reduces the risk of vertebral (30-70%) and non-vertebral fractures (12-53%), depending on agents and patients' compliance. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that pharmacological agents involved in osteoporosis can also influence the phases of fracture repair. Preclinical studies and evidences from case reports showed a positive effect of anabolic drugs on bone healing and implant osseointegration. The interventions in the process of fracture healing had evolved from a diamond to a pentagon concept, with interactions between the mechanical environment, the local therapies, the vascularity of the fracture site, the biology of the host and the systemic therapy which has the potential to represent the fifth interaction factor. The orthopaedic surgeon plays a central role in clinical setting to evaluate the efficacy of systemic anti-fracture drugs for improving fracture repair and preventing complications.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess the incidence and hospitalization rate of hip and "minor" fragility fractures in the Italian population. METHODS: We carried out a 3-year survey at 10 major Italian emergency departments to evaluate the hospitalization rate of hip, forearm, humeral, ankle, and vertebral fragility fractures in people 45 years or older between 2004 and 2006, both men and women. These data were compared with those recorded in the national hospitalizations database (SDO) to assess the overall incidence of fragility fractures occurring at hip and other sites, including also those events not resulting in hospital admissions. RESULTS: We observed 29,017 fractures across 3 years, with hospitalization rates of 93.0% for hip fractures, 36.3% for humeral fractures, 31.3% for ankle fractures, 22.6% for forearm/wrist fractures, and 27.6% for clinical vertebral fractures. According to the analyses performed with the Italian hospitalization database in year 2006, we estimated an annual incidence of 87,000 hip, 48,000 humeral, 36,000 ankle, 85,000 wrist, and 155,000 vertebral fragility fractures in people aged 45 years or older (thus resulting in almost 410,000 new fractures per year). Clinical vertebral fractures were recorded in 47,000 events per year. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of fragility fractures in the Italian population is very high and calls for effective preventive strategies.