Major osteoporosis meeting opens in São Paulo

More than 700 doctors and allied health professionals from 32 countries throughout Latin America and the rest of the world gathered today for the opening of the International Osteoporosis Foundation's (IOF) 1st Latin America Osteoporosis Meeting in São Paulo, Brazil.

The four-day meeting, which extends to May 27 at the Grand Hyatt São Paulo Hotel, will present new research and the latest advances in the management of osteoporosis and related bone diseases. Attendees include orthopedists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, gynecologists, general practitioners and various allied health professionals.

Professor José Zanchetta, Congress Co-President and Co-Chair of the Local Organizing Committee commented: "The elderly are the most susceptible to fractures caused by osteoporosis. Due to the expected increase in the ageing population throughout Latin America, there is an urgent need to ensure that doctors are well versed in the latest strategies to prevent and treat osteoporosis and fragility fractures. IOF has worked in close collaboration with its Latin American Regional Council and in partnership with experts from the Associação Brasileira de Avaliação da Saude Ossea e Osteometabolismo (AbRASSO) to develop a programme which will meet the information needs of a broad spectrum of health professionals. "

During the Meeting, international and regional bone experts will lead 20 scientific lectures, 10 Meet-the-Expert sessions and two roundtable sessions. Oral presentations of the best scientific abstracts will highlight the latest research advances from the region, with five young investigators to be awarded prestigious grants in recognition of their research excellence.

"The number and quality of the abstracts to be presented indicate that there is an increased focus on bone research in Latin America," said Professor Cyrus Cooper, Scientific Programme Committee Co-Chair and Chair of IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors. "This Meeting is an ideal forum in which to share best clinical practice and learn about cutting edge advances in the research and management of bone diseases. Researchers will have an excellent opportunity to showcase their work before an international audience."

Provided by International Osteoporosis Foundation