In the last few years, I have been reporting about the decreased rates of osteoporotic fracture in the US, Canada, and other highly industrialized countries. I have also noted that
Between 1997 and 2006 the hip fracture incidence rate in Denmark declined by 20% in men and 22% in women. During this same time period, use of osteoporosis drugs increased only 1.8% in women and 0.2% in men aged 60+.
As the investigators report, the number of prevented hip fractures that could be attributed to drug therapy was only 1.3% in men and 3.7% in women.
Well, researchers are still scratching their heads, but my vote would be increased awareness about — and use of — vitamin D. As I noted in a 2009 medical journal publication, there is good data to suggest that fracture rates worldwide could be reduced by 50% if everyone were to achieve a minimum 32 ng/mL vitamin D blood level.
I’m going to keep an eye out for even more research.
References:
Abrahamsen, B and Vestergaard, P. 2010. Declining incidence of hip fractures and the extent of use of anti-osteoporotic therapy in Denmark 1997-2006. Osteoporosis International, 21:373-80.
Brown, Susan E. 2008. Vitamin D and fracture reduction: An evaluation of the existing research. Alternative Medicine Review, 13(1).