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.
0
Osteoporosis experts from 23 countries and regionsAbout APCO
Representing Osteoporosis experts from 23 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 Bone Health QI Tool Kit
Addressing the major public health burden of osteoporosis throughout the Asia Pacific region through the promotion of quality improvement (QI) of osteoporosis care.
The 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.
To learn more about The APCO Framework, watch our video of APCO Executive Committee Chairperson, Dr Manju Chandran
Watch our 3D animation summarising the APCO Framework
The APCO HCP Peer to Peer Education Modules
A world-first, interactive, educational osteoporosis resource for healthcare professionals
The APCO HCP Peer to Peer Education Modules offers physicians a comprehensive, evidence-based resource encouraging widescale implementation of the minimum clinical standards of care for osteoporosis advocated in The APCO Framework. It contains 17 modules – one module for each of the 16 APCO Framework Clinical Standards and one module on recently emerging themes in osteoporosis care.
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
“Disparate health systems, Disproportionate Prevalence”. Findings from a Systematic Review of the prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence of related fractures in developed economies in the Asia Pacific region.
Introducing BONEcheck for personalized bone health assessment
APCO making waves at the World’s Leading Clinical Conference On Bone, Joint and Muscle Health – the WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2023, Barcelona, Spain
Sweet Bones or Bitter Bones: Diabetes and Skeletal Fragility – Exploring the Link
APCO members clinch International Society of Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) top awards!
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Expert gathering to stem bone health crisis in the world’s most populous & fastest ageing region
APCO members proudly ‘Stepping up for bone health’ on World Osteoporosis Day 2022
APCO HCP Education Modules now available in 5 languages, enabling delivery of best practice osteoporosis care throughout the Asia Pacific
