Conference Description

August 26, 2006
Doubletree Hotel Cleveland South
6200 Quarry Lane
Independence, OH 44131-2218
216-447-1300

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CME Credits 3.0*

Nonrefundable registration fee: $0.

Target Audience: Specialists in osteoporosis(rheumatologists, endocrinologists, and OB-GYNs), primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants.

Program Summary:
In October 2004, the first ever U.S. Surgeon Generals report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis was released. In it, Surgeon General Camona warned that by 2020 one half of U.S. citizens over the age of 50 would be at risk for fractures and low bone density. The purpose of this program is to review recent progress in our understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of osteoporosis and how fracture risk can be substantially reduced using a range of approved medications. The efficacy and mechanisms of action of antiresorptive agents will be reviewed in depth and contrasted with those of anabolic agents. The potential benefits of combined and/or sequential use of these two classes of drug will also be considered. In addition, new treatment options currently in clinical trials will be discussed. In his report, Dr Carmona concluded that all health care professionals can play a critical role in reducing the socioeconomic burden of osteoporosis. Studies have shown that physicians frequently fail to diagnose and treat osteoporosis, even in elderly patients who have suffered a fracture. One study revealed that less than 25% of patients had a hip fracture were given a BMD test or calcium and vitamin D supplements, while less than 10% were treated with antiresorptive drugs. Even when doctors do suggest therapy it frequently does not conform to evidence-based guidelines, such as those of the U.S Preventive Services task Force.

Fractures due to bone disease are common, costly, and often become a chronic burden on individuals and society. An estimated 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture annually. A white woman over the age of 50 has greater than a 40% chance of fracturing a bone during her remaining life time.

The 1.5 million osteoporosis-related fractures lead to more than 500,000 hospitalizations, over 800,000 emergency room visits, greater than 2.6 million doctorís office visits, and 180,000 nursing home admissions. The magnitude of the problem will continue to grow as the average age of the population increases.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this program, participants should be able to:

1. To describe recent data on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of osteoporosis.
2. To apply recent guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
3. To evaluate the efficacy of available anti-fracture agents, understand their mechanism of action, and make appropriate recommendations for treatment of patients with osteoporosis.
4. To discuss the potential benefits of combined and/or sequential therapy with antiresorptive and anabolic agents.
5. To describe the potential benefits of new anti-fracture agents in development.

Agenda:

8:00-8:45 am		Registration and Continental Breakfast Welcome
8:45-9:45 am		Osteoporosis: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Guidelines in 2006
9:45-10:45 am		Antiresorptive Therapies: Efficacy, Mechanism of Action, and New Developments
10:45-11:00 am		Break
11:00 am-Noon		Anabolic Therapies: Efficacy, Mechanism of Action, and New Developments

Faculty:
David W. Dempster, PhD, Program Chair
Professor of Clinical Pathology
College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University, New York, NY
Director, Regional Bone Center
Helen Hayes Hospital
West Haverstraw, NY

Michael Maricic, MD
Chief of the Section of Rheumatology
Director of Internal Medicine Resident
and Education at the Southern Arizona
VA Health Care System
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine
University of Arizona School of Medicine

*Continuing Education Information
This activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 3.0 Prescribed credit hours by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This program was supported through educational grants from the following companies: Amgen, Lilly, Merck, NPS, and sanofi-aventis.