The number of osteoporotic fractures is rising in many countries; reasons for this relate in part to the increased longevity of the population.
Fragility fractures are associated with substantial pain and suffering, disability and even death for affected patients and substantial costs to society.
There is a large gap between the number of women who are treated compared to the proportion of the population that could be considered eligible for treatment based on their fracture risk.
Improved adherence to treatment would increase treatment penetration in high risk populations and would likely be associated with improved outcomes in clinical practice.
Source: Hernlund E et al. Osteoporosis in the European Union: medical management, epidemiology and economic burden. Arch Osteoporos 2013;8:136.