09 December 2005

New research showing older men at risk of life threatening breaks

NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos today released new research showing almost 70 per cent of older Australian men have low bone density, predisposing them to potentially fatal breaks, yet few of them know it.

"This new research shows that

• 12 per cent of men over the age of 70 have osteoporosis and
• a further 57 per cent have osteopenia,

bringing to an alarming 69 per cent the total with low bone density," said Mr Hatzistergos.

"These findings come from the world's biggest study of the health of older men, the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) at Concord Hospital.

The early results of the study were announced at today's official opening of Concord Hospital's new $7.5m Aged Care and Rehabilitation Precinct.

The Minister was joined by the Member for Drummoyne Angela D'Amore, Member for Strathfield Virginia Judge and the Member for Auburn Barbara Perry.

"Low bone density is a very common and very serious problem for older men," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"Most older men don't know they are at risk of breaking bones. Men think it is a women's disease, but 30 per cent of men will have a fracture of some kind after the age of 60 and six or seven per cent of men will break their hip.

"Hip fractures actually have a bigger impact on men than on women. Their mortality and rate of entry into nursing homes after hip fracture is higher.

"Low bone density in men has not been well studied or documented until now. We have not known how prevalent this condition is,"

"As a result of this kind of research clinicians can use an evidence based medicine approach to consider how best to care for older patients, which is important as our community ages," Mr Hatzistergos said.

By 2040, one quarter of the population will be over 65 and more than a million people who are now in their 50s will be over the age of 85.

CHAMP researchers have begun testing to examine the role of testosterone levels in osteoporosis and other health issues related to ageing, such as dementia, muscle weakness and urinary symptoms.

So far, more than 600 men have taken part in CHAMP at Concord Hospital's Centre for Research in Ageing (CERA) and by the end of 2006 researchers aim to have surveyed 2,000 older men for their five year study funded by a $1.7 million NH&MRC grant.

New Aged Care and Rehabilitation Precinct at Concord Hospital
Concord Hospital's Centre for Research in Ageing (CERA) are examining a range of conditions affecting men over the age of 70 at Concord Hospital's new Aged Care and Rehabilitation Precinct.

The precinct, which was opened today by the Minister, is a state-of-the-art one-stop aged service which will provide essential services to comprehensively treat all the issues that face ageing and rehabilitation patients.

"Developed at a cost of $7.5M as part of the $130M redevelopment of Concord Repatriation General Hospital, this new facility is a leading aged care and rehabilitation service for NSW," Mr Hatzistergos said.

The new service brings together inpatient, ambulatory care services and research in a high quality care environment where all the health needs of ageing people can be addressed.

The Aged Care Precinct includes:

• 52 acute aged care beds in two wards
• 15 bed general rehabilitation ward which includes a stroke rehabilitation unit;
• 28 bed aged care rehabilitation ward;
• 12 bed medical psycho geriatric unit which includes the delirium and challenging behaviours unit;
• a day hospital offering physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, speech and nursing;
• several outpatient clinics, including a multidisciplinary clinic for cognitive disorders and clinics for bladder problems, bone and joint, amputees, Parkinson's and chronic pain management;
• accommodation and education space for inpatient and community staff and community nursing;
• Community Aged Care and Rehabilitation Services, including the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT);
• the Community Options Program (COPs);
• the Dementia Advisory Service (DAS) and respite services.

The precinct has a strong link to research and many of its clinicians have joint appointments with the Centre for Education and Research (CERA) on the Concord campus and the Anzac Institute, which is located next to the facility.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au