These are bone diseases that are of concern in people under 50 years of age.

osteoporosis It is a metabolic bone disease that includes decreased bone strength and increased risk of fractures. It is now considered a very important health problem worldwide. It is called “silent” because it does not cause noticeable symptoms until its main complication occurs: the development of fragility fractures. “Currently, 782 bone fractures occur every day in the Spanish population; however, only 36% of these people receive treatment for osteoporosis“, according to Dr. Laia Guifrefrom the Rheumatology Service of the German Hospital Trias and Pujol, in context World Osteoporosis Daywhich will be celebrated on October 20 next year.

This pathology is very common, somewhat more common in women and “still very underdiagnosed and undertreated in both sexes”– he explains. In fact, according to the latest study of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the epidemiology of osteoporosis in the Spanish population, carried out with 1522 subjects (OsteoSER project), 54.4% of people over 50 years of age had osteopenia (reduced bone mineral density (BMD)) and 10.7% had osteoporosis.

Analyzing these data by gender, it is confirmed that osteoporosis is much more common among women (18.6%) than among men (2.6%).

According to Dr. Carmen Gomez Vaqueroprincipal investigator of the OsteoSER study and member of the rheumatology service at Bellvitge University Hospital, “these results are very useful for calculating the resources that should be allocated to prevention of fragility fractures in the National Health System. Specifically, among the population at highest risk of fractures, women aged 65 years and older, 24.9% have osteoporosis. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, updated as of January 1, 2023, the absolute number will be 1,300,021 Spanish women at high risk of fractures.” In addition,” he points out, “we now have data on people under 50 years of age: 96.7% had BMD within the expected range for their age.. In this younger group, a larger proportion of men (5.4%) had lower BMD than expected, compared with 1.2% of women.

Everything is younger

According to this question, Dr. Enrique Casadofrom the Tauli Park University Hospital, assures that “The number of young men and women, even under 50, being diagnosed with osteoporosis appears to be increasing.. This is due to the fact that awareness of this disease is growing among the general population, and, in addition, today some young people have habits harmful to their bones: they lead a sedentary lifestyle, spend less time in the sun, consume less milk

and less dairy products overall, and more young people becoming vegetarians or vegans. When following these diets, you must be strict and ensure that you are getting the recommended amount of calcium (1 gram per day) in order to achieve a good “peak” bone mass or not lose it.”

Similarly, the specialist adds, “among young people involved in sports, an increasing number are elite athletes or those involved in very intense sports, which in the case of women can lead to anorexia and amenorrheasituation of hypoestrogenism, which entails loss of bone mineral density. It also seems that due to more pollution, food manipulation, infections, stress, etc., the incidence of autoimmune diseases is increasing, which is associated both with the disease itself and with certain treatments such as corticosteroids. with a higher incidence of osteoporosis and fractures.

“Mad About My Bones” Campaign

In order to increase knowledge about this pathology, SER, through the Spanish Rheumatology Foundation, launched a campaign “Crazy About Your Bones” emphasize the importance of acquiring healthy habits to prevent osteoporosis, such as exercise, a Mediterranean diet that includes adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, among other factors.

When it comes to exercise, experts recommend doing Aerobic and strengthening (resistance) exercises to maintain good muscle and bone health. “So the most recommended type of exercise is walking, running or some other form of aerobic exercise. Jumping is not recommended for patients who have suffered vertebral fractures and should be replaced by walking to reduce excessive stress on the spine. Exercise programs typically include 20-30 minutes of aerobic and strength training, performed regularly 2-3 days a week and always tailored to each individual’s needs,” explains Dr. Raquel Almodóvarrheumatologist at the Alcorcón Foundation University Hospital.

Finally, experts remember that the prevalence of osteoporosis increases with age and therefore will increase in the coming years, partly due to an increasingly aging population.