Medtronic Commends World Health Organization For Spinal Fracture Risk Tool
FRAX™ is a clinically based, 10-year fracture risk model developed by the WHO and Dr. John A. Kanis, professor emeritus at the University of Sheffield in the U.K. This tool evaluates bone mineral density and nine other specific clinical risk factors to determine a person's probability of having an osteoporosis-related fracture of the spine, forearm, hip or shoulder within 10 years.
Previous Spinal Fractures Identified as Strong Risk Factor
According to the FRAX™ tool, a previous fracture, either occurring spontaneously or from trauma, is one of the clinical risk factors that places a person at high risk for future fractures. A prior history of clinical spinal fractures, known as vertebral compression fractures, is identified in the model as an especially strong indicator for osteoporosis and the risk of future fractures.
"The publication of this tool by the World Health Organization will create much-needed awareness of the risk factors for osteoporosis-related fractures, possibly leading to earlier diagnosis of osteoporosis and proper treatment to prevent fractures," said Art Taylor, vice president and general manager of Medtronic's Spinal and Biologics Business in charge of Kyphon and Interspinous Process Device product lines. "In particular, we hope that this report will generate earlier detection of existing vertebral compression fractures to help physicians better manage osteoporosis and appropriately treat spinal fractures."
In addition to the WHO FRAX™ tool, a recent study published by the American Medical Association shows that a low bone mineral density reading and a previous vertebral compression fracture are independently related to new spinal fractures. In the study, "Long Term Risks of Vertebral Compression Fractures" by Dr. Jane A. Cauley, et al, 2,680 American women were studied over a 15-year period. It found that women with previous vertebral compression fractures have a substantially increased risk of another fracture, especially if they have osteoporosis diagnosed by a bone mineral density reading.
Osteoporosis-Related Fractures An Increasing Health Problem
Guidelines for more effectively diagnosing and treating osteoporosis are becoming increasingly important because of the high cost to society and health care agencies from osteoporosis-related fractures. The cost to the U.S. health care system in 2005 from these fractures was estimated at $17 billion. Additionally, the number of these fractures is expected to increase more than three-fold over the next 50 years with the aging population, according to the WHO.
Osteoporosis today causes more than 8.9 million hip, wrist and spinal fractures worldwide each year according to the WHO. In the U.S. alone, there are approximately 700,000 spinal compression fractures each year. However, an estimated two out of three go undiagnosed and untreated.
Patient Discovers "A Silent Disease"
Ann Warner of Memphis, Tenn. is one patient who discovered she suffered from this often "silent disease."
"I had an MRI on my back and they found I had these compressed fractures of the vertebrae," the 77-year-old woman said. "I had four or five fractures, some of them old, old ones. I can imagine these fractures happened over a period of time. I don't remember being in any extreme pain at any particular time, but then again you have backaches here and backaches there."
This "silent disease" element of osteoporosis is further reason why adults at risk for this disease should seek early diagnosis, especially if they are suffering acute back pain. Under the FRAX™ tool, Warner's previous fractures would have indicated a high probability of osteoporosis and subsequent fractures. If they had been diagnosed earlier, she may have received treatment for her osteoporosis.
Vertebral compression fractures can be effectively managed when diagnosed. Among several means of managing such fractures is balloon kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure offered by Medtronic for spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis and cancer that corrects the angular deformity and stabilizes the fracture.
In Warner's case, she underwent balloon kyphoplasty procedure for the repair of two vertebral compression fractures. Today she has stopped taking pain pills and is back to her active lifestyle, volunteering at her local hospital and participating in daily exercise classes at her local gym.
More information on the risk of fractures from osteoporosis can be found at http://www.kyphon.com,
or http://www.spinalfracture.com. The WHO FRAX™ model can be accessed at http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/ and a clinicians' guide for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis can be accessed at http://www.nof.org/professionals/Clinicians_Guide.htm.
About Medtronic's Spinal and Biologics Business
The Spinal and Biologics business at Medtronic is based in Memphis, Tenn. It is the global leader in today's spine market and is committed to advancing the treatment of spinal conditions. The Spinal and Biologics business works with world-renowned surgeons, researchers and innovative partners to offer state-of-the-art products and technologies for neurological, orthopaedic, dental and spinal conditions. Medtronic is committed to developing affordable, minimally-invasive procedures that provide lifestyle-friendly surgical therapies. More information about the company and its treatment therapies can be found at http://www.medtronicspinal.com and its patient-education Web sites, http://www.back.com, http://www.iscoliosis.com, http://www.maturespine.com and http://www.necksurgery.com.
About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2007. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
Medtronic
Medtronic salutã Organizatia Mondiala a Sanatatii pentru mãduva riscului de fracturã instrument - Medtronic Commends World Health Organization For Spinal Fracture Risk Tool - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate