Developing solutions for osteoporosis management
& fracture prevention
The Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO) comprises Osteoporosis experts from several countries in Asia Pacific, charged with developing tangible solutions to the substantive challenges involving osteoporosis management and fracture prevention in this most populated and fastest growing region of the world.
Representing multiple medical and surgical specialties, the Consortium has developed a pan-Asia Pacific “Framework” for the introduction and implementation of minimum clinical standards for the screening, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis targeting a broad range of high-risk groups.
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Osteoporosis experts from 19 countries and regionsTo learn more about The APCO Framework, watch our video of APCO Executive Committee Chairperson, Dr Manju Chandran
About APCO
Representing Osteoporosis experts from 19 countries and regions
APCO (Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis) is charged with developing tangible solutions to the substantive challenges involving osteoporosis management and fracture prevention.
APCO Framework
A pan-Asia Pacific “Framework” for the implementation of minimum clinical standards across the region
The APCO Framework proposes clear and concise standards of care involving the screening, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, targeting a broad range of high-risk groups. These standards provide a benchmark for the provision of quality care across Asia Pacific.
About Osteoporosis
A common disease characterised by porous brittle bones, low bone density and quality, and structural deterioration
Osteoporosis is defined as having a bone mineral density (BMD) 2.5 standard deviations below the average value of a young healthy person, leading to enhanced bone fragility, and increased fracture risk. More than 200 million people worldwide live with osteoporosis.
Guidelines
Current gaps and unmet needs relating to osteoporosis clinical guidelines in the Asia Pacific region
Although clinical guidelines for managing osteoporosis are available in many countries throughout Asia Pacific, their lack of implementation-related guidance poses the biggest challenge for the optimal diagnosis and management of the disease.
Evidence to date demonstrates significant disparity in these guidelines throughout the region.
As its first major initiative, APCO members representing key osteoporosis stakeholders and multiple medical and surgical specialties throughout the region, developed a set of clear, concise, relevant and pragmatic clinical standards to support national societies, guidelines development authorities, and health care policy makers with the development of new guidelines, and to encourage the revision of existing guidelines in Asia Pacific.
BLOG
Building up your bone bank!
Death by a single cut: understanding the link between fragility fractures and mortality risk
Androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer – an often forgotten risk factor for osteoporosis
Broadening the scope of osteoporosis intervention
Placing the spotlight on “bone health”: Osteoporosis Australia rebrands itself
International Osteoporosis Foundation launches a new Policy toolkit to help shape health policies
New benchmark set to deliver optimal osteoporosis care throughout Asia Pacific
