OKenawa
OKenawa and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis in a few figures. Economic impact. Impact on quality of life.
Osteoporosis in a few figures
Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization as:
"A systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass, deterioration of bone tissue, and loss of bone architecture compromising bone strength and leading to bone fragility and, consequently, an increased risk of fractures" (1).
These osteoporotic fractures are associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality rates.
In the context of an aging population, osteoporosis is becoming a major public health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide.
It is estimated that beyond the age of 50, one in two women and one in five men will develop a fragility fracture related to osteoporosis (2,3).
A recent European publication estimates that approximately 22 million women and 5.5 million men are affected in Europe. This means 3.5 million new fragility fractures each year.
For example:
A spinal fracture occurs every 22 seconds.
A bone breaks every 3 seconds due to osteoporosis (3–5).
Economic impact
The occurrence of fragility fractures related to osteoporosis also has a considerable economic impact. These costs are currently estimated at 37.5 billion euros in Europe for hospitalizations, rehabilitation and/or placement in nursing homes, as well as therapeutic treatments.
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), these costs would reach 47.4 billion euros in 2030.
The same organization predicts that the increase in life expectancy in France, whose population is similar to that of Switzerland, will lead to a rise in fragility fractures. This increase is estimated at +24.4% between 2017 and 2030, which would correspond to an increase of +26.6% in expenses, rising from 5.4 billion to 6.8 billion in about ten years (8).
Impact on quality of life
Moreover, a fragility fracture also has significant consequences on the quality of life of patients, measured in QALY (Quality Adjusted Life Years).
In 2010, an estimated loss of nearly 1.2 million QALY in Europe (5).
This reflects the severe disabilities caused by these fractures, often resulting in significant limitations in daily activities of patients (9).
Some key figures
1 in 3 women
1 in 5 men
More than 200 million people affected worldwide
450,000 in Switzerland
1 fracture related to osteoporosis every 3 seconds worldwide!
Economic impact: 47.8 billion euros in Europe in 2030
Similar recent data has been published in Switzerland: OFSP Report (6,7).
Sources
1. Prior, J. C., Barr, S. I., Chow, R. & Faulkner, R. A. Prevention and management of osteoporosis: consensus statements from the Scientific Advisory Board of the Osteoporosis Society of Canada. CMAJ 155, 940–944 (1996).
2. Cauley, J. A. Public health impact of osteoporosis. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 68, 1243–1251 (2013).
3. Kanis, J. A. et al. A systematic review of hip fracture incidence and probability of fracture worldwide. Osteoporos Int 23, 2239–2256 (2012).
4. International Osteoporosis Foundation, 2025: Link
5. Borgström, F. et al. Fragility fractures in Europe: burden, management and opportunities. Arch Osteoporos 15, 59 (2020).
6. Osteoporosis OFSP N°BAG OeG 8.04 1’000d 500f 20BAG04001.pdf
7. Svedbom, A., Ivergård, M., Hernlund, E., Rizzoli, R. & Kanis, J. A. Epidemiology and economic burden of osteoporosis in Switzerland. Arch Osteoporos 9, 187 (2014).
8. Facts and Statistics | International Osteoporosis Foundation : Link