Osteoporosis and Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCF)
FACT SHEET

About Osteoporosis

  • Osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million women worldwide.1
  • Worldwide, osteoporosis causes more than nine million fractures annually, resultingin an osteoporotic fracture every three seconds.1
  • A recent report issued by the Surgeon General noted that by 2020, one in twoAmericans over age 50 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis and low bonemass.2
  • Although prevalent, 75 percent of women and 90 percent of men with a highlikelihood of developing osteoporosis are not investigated.3
  • Up to 80 percent who have already had at least one osteoporotic fracture areneither identified nor treated.3
  • Overall, 61 percent of osteoporotic fractures occur in women, with a female-to-maleratio of 1.6.4
  • A prior fracture is associated with an 86 percent increased risk of any fracture.5
  • In 2005, osteoporosis-related fractures cost the U.S. health care system about $17billion per year.6
  • Osteoporosis takes a huge personal and economic toll. In Europe, the disability dueto osteoporosis is greater than that caused by cancers (with the exception of lungcancer) and is comparable to or greater than that lost to a variety of chronic noncommunicablediseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischemic heart disease.4

About Vertebral Compression (Spinal) Fractures

  • Osteoporosis causes more than 700,000 spinal fractures each year in the U.S. – morethan twice the annual number of hip fractures1 – accounting for more than 100,000hospital admissions and resulting in close to $1.5 billion in annual costs.8
  • Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporotic fracture, yet approximatelytwo-thirds are undiagnosed and untreated.1
  • Approximately 20 to 25 percent of Caucasian women and men over 50 years oldhave a prevalent vertebral fracture.1
  • One in five women with a vertebral fracture will sustain another within 12 months.1
  • Vertebral fractures lead to severe spinal deformity, back pain, loss of height,reduced mobility, depression and increased number of bed days.1
  • The impact vertebral fractures have on quality of life can be profound, as a result ofloss of self-esteem, isolation and depression. Vertebral fractures also significantlyimpact activities of daily living.1
  • Vertebral fractures are associated with a 20 percent reduction in QALY (qualityadjusted life year) in the first 12 months, and a 15 percent reduction in the first twoyears since time of fracture.9
  1. Bouxsein , M. L., & Genant, H. K. (2010). The Breaking Spine. International Osteoporosis Foundation.
  2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2004). “=By 2020, One In Two Americans Over Age50 Will Be At Risk For Fractures From Osteoporosis Or Low Bone Mass. U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. Retrieved from
  3. Nguyen, et al (2004). Osteoporosis: Underrated, Underdiagnosed and Undertreated. The MedicalJournal of Australia. 2004; 180: S18-22.
  4. Johnell O and Kanis JA (2006) An estimate of the worldwide prevalence and disability associatedwith osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporosis International 17:1726.
  5. Kanis, et al (2004). A Meta-Analysis of Previous Fracture and Subsequent Fracture Risk. Bone. 2004;35: 375-382.
  6. Clinician’s Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis (January, 2010.) NationalOsteoporosis Foundation.
  7. Kanis, et al (1997). Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis. OsteoporosisInternational: 1997; 7: 390-406.
  8. Cooper, et al. Nonoperative Treatment of Osteoporotic Compression Fractures Overview ofOsteoporotic Compression Fractures (March 29, 2011.) Medscape. Retrieved from
  9. Tosteson, et al. (2001). Impact of Hip and Vertebral Fractures on Quality-Adjusted Life Years.Osteoporosis International. 2001; 12: 1042-1049

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