World Osteoporosis Day, celebrated on 24 June, is an opportunity to remind the public of the magnitude of a disease that more and more people are facing. This condition should be treated under the constant care of a doctor, without compromising or deviating. Rapproximately 120 000 fractures occur each yearcaused by osteoporosis. More than 8,000 people die each year as a result of osteoporotic femoral neck fracture.
Osteoporosis is a chronic, generalised skeletal disease that involves a decrease in bone mineral density leading to excessive bone fragility. It can develop insidiously over many years without producing any clinical symptoms. However, in the advanced stage, it manifests itself in so-called fractures caused by even slight trauma (most commonly to the wrist, spine or neck of the femur). Fractures can occur as a result of sneezing, coughing or for no apparent reason and are very often the first noticeable symptom of the disease. Such a fracture means, unfortunately, a multiple increase in the risk of a second and subsequent fractures, with all their consequences. As the population ages and the number of osteoporotic fractures increases with age, experts say that osteoporosis is a serious and growing medical, economic and social problem.
The current situation is of great concern to the Polish Amazon Social Movement (PARS), which for years has been tirelessly carrying out a series of educational and intervention activities to raise awareness of osteoporosis and the consequences of not treating it. PARS President, Elżbieta Kozik explains -. As a result of the strictures caused by the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and the need to keep a social distance in order to avoid infection, around 8,000 patients out of 10,000 injecting drug users have stopped their therapy! This is a dramatic drop, which automatically increases the risk of osteoporotic fractures and exposes patients to painful and even life-threatening consequences.
The President of PARS, together with World Osteoporosis Day ambassador Ryszard Rembiszewski, actor, radio and television presenter, entertainer - an active senior citizen, appeal to - Don't stop treatment, don't underestimate the disease, keep in touch with your doctor and keep an eye on his recommendations. Don't risk a trivial fracture that can can have serious health and long-term life-threatening consequences. If you can't or don't want to go to the clinic, use telemedicine - this way you can receive advice from your doctor, get an e-prescription and continue your treatment.
This year, World Osteoporosis Day is being celebrated at a unique time - in the era of the pandemic. It is much more difficult for all chronic patients to keep an eye on the regimen associated with constant medication and follow-up visits to the doctor. There is, however, good news. From 1 July, specialist doctors will be able to issue e-prescriptions for free medicines for seniors 75+. In addition, the environment is seeking to extend the functionality of the e-prescription by being able to inform the doctor, the pharmacist and the patient of the due date and the need to write a new one. These and other solutions will give support to the patient and improve the osteoporosis care system.
(press release)