00.00, Monday 12 May 2014
41 Portland Place The Academy of Medical Sciences
London
Fellows are invited to attend a discussion dinner at the Academy, featuring a talk by Professor Juliet Compston FMedSci, Emeritus Professor of Bone Medicine, University of Cambridge.
Attendance costs £60 per head. Fellows may bring one non-Fellow guest.
For more information, contact info@acmedsci.ac.uk or book a place using the form below.
Obesity and the skeleton
Until recently obesity was believed to be protective against fractures as a result of higher bone mass and the cushioning effect of subcutaneous tissue during falls. However, recent studies indicate that fractures in obese postmenopausal women and older men make a substantial contribution to the overall fracture burden in this population. The effect of obesity on fracture risk is to some extent site-dependent, with some protection against hip and wrist fractures but increased risk of ankle and lower leg fractures. Risk factors for fractures in the obese are similar in many respects to those in the non-obese population, although increased risk of falling and reduced mobility are likely to play a prominent role.
The evidence base for efficacy of anti-osteoporosis medication in the obese is weak, since pivotal clinical trials have included relatively few obese individuals. There is some evidence from post hoc subgroup analyses that anti-resorptive medications may not be effective in reducing non-vertebral fractures in obese postmenopausal women; however, whether this reflects inadequate dosing or other factors is unclear. Weight loss in association with exercise regimens may be beneficial. However, further studies are needed to enable the development of effective strategies to reduce the growing fracture burden in the obese population.