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The public health burden of osteoporosis estimated by the results of clinical and population-based researches in most of the former USSR is uncertain for today. The objective of this audit (Audit-2020) was the epidemiological, medico-social and economic analyse of current and future osteoporosis challenges for the future years for eight countries of the Eurasian region.Methods.We did a search and critical analysis of the publications, including of regional in English, Russian or national languages, did organize a structured survey among national osteoporosis societies members in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, as well as explored the demographic trends in these countries.Results.Scientific researches including the wide population-based EVA project discovered that the expected number of patients with osteoporosis varies from 240,000 in Armenia to 16 million in Russia. All the countries should be categorized as a moderate risk of hip fractures for women (200–300 cases /100,000 per year). Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan have moderate risk for men (100–150/100,000), as well as Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are distinguished by a high risk for men (over 150 cases/100,000). Population aging trends are predicting the future growth in the osteoporosis-associated health challenges throughout the region. It is likely the number of osteoporotic fractures to rise in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan the most: 2.5–3.5 times by 2050. However current hospitalization rates for hip fracture persons are low in most countries (33–80%), the diagnostic equipment is insufficient (0.2–1.3 per million), DXA testing are expensive. Although modern treatments are available, the cure expenses remain high. Hereby, immediate action is required in each country of audit, including admit osteoporosis is a priority public health problem.Conclusion.Osteoporosis is a challenge for the countries of the Eurasian region. Its burden is about to get worse due to the expected demographic changes.

Precise population-based data on the osteoporotic hip fracture (HF) rate play an invaluable role in the assessment of burden of osteoporosis as well as in development of the national clinical fracture risk prediction tool (FRAX). Currently, these data in Uzbekistan is unavailable. Aim. To create a system for the all HF detection to calculate their incidence in Uzbekistan, and to assess the general physicians (GP) and primary care nurses role in this system. Materials and methods. Cohort study was carried out in 20112017 in the Pap district of Uzbekistan We had revealed the national trauma care records peculiarities and then organized the prospective study. The trauma care records were monitored. Besides, all medical specialists including GPs, GP nurses and the community leaders were actively involved into the search and verification of non-hospitalized hip fracture patients escaping trauma care statistics. Results. Overall, among HF patients, only 34% were hospitalized, and 26% took outpatient trauma care. Additional 29% of HF patients were found only with the help of GPs. GP nurses in collaboration with the community leaders disclosed additional 11% patients who had been staying at home without any medical care. The annual standardized HF incidence in people older than 40 years enriched 357.7 for women and 190.2 for men per 100 000. Conclusion. Collection of epidemiological information on HF incidence in Uzbekistan was possible only with the help of GPs and GP nurses as key figures of primary care. The obtained epidemiological data will be incorporated into the first created Uzbek national FRAX model to assess the 10-year risk of osteoporotic fracture in clinical practice.

Age-specific intervention and assessment thresholds based on FRAX® were developed for eight Eurasian countries participating in the EVA study (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan). The intervention thresholds (major osteoporotic fracture) ranged from 3.6 (Armenia and Georgia) to 12.3% (Uzbekistan) for people at age 50 years, and from 16 (Armenia) to 27% (Belarus) at the age of 90 years. These thresholds enable a substantial advance in the ease of detection of individuals at high fracture risk.The purpose of this study was to derive and compare FRAX-based intervention and BMD assessment thresholds for 8 Eurasian countries in the EVA study.The intervention threshold (IT) was set at a 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF), calculated without BMD, equivalent to a woman with a prior fragility fracture but no other clinical risk factors, and a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/mThe age-specific intervention thresholds ranged from 3.6 (Armenia and Georgia) to 12.3% (Uzbekistan) for men and women at the age of 50 years and from 16 (Armenia) to 27% (Belarus) at the age of 90 years. The difference between countries was most evident at younger ages and become progressively less with advancing age.For the 8 Eurasian countries, the newly established FRAX-based intervention thresholds provide an opportunity to improve the clinical detection of both men and women with a high risk of fracture and improve treatment rates.

Summary Retrospective population-based survey in 2 regions of the Republic of Moldova determined the incidence of fractures at the hip, proximal humerus and distal forearm. The estimated number of such fractures nationwide for 2015 was 11,271 and is predicted to increase to 15,863 in 2050. The hip fracture rates were used to create a FRAX model to help guide decisions about treatment. Objective This paper describes the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures in Republic of Moldova that was used to develop the country-specific fracture prediction FRAX® tool. Methods We carried out a retrospective population-based survey in 2 regions of the Republic of Moldova (Anenii Noi district and Orhei district) representing approximately 6% of the country’s population. We identified hip, forearm and humerus fractures in 2011 and 2012 from hospital registers and primary care sources. Age- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for Moldova. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from neighbouring countries having FRAX models. Results The incidence of hip fracture applied nationally suggested that the estimated number of hip fractures nationwide in persons over the age of 50 years for 2015 was 3911 and is predicted to increase by 60% to 6492 in 2050. Hip fracture incidence was a good predictor of forearm and humeral fractures. FRAX-based probabilities were higher in Moldova than neighbouring countries (Ukraine and Romania). Conclusion The FRAX model should enhance accuracy of determining fracture probability among the Moldavan population and help guide decisions about treatment.

The audit provides a detailed analysis of the burden of osteoporosis and differences between Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan with regard to prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence of osteoporotic fractures, future demographic changes, diagnostic resources, and treatment availability. This paper describes the results of the Audit on Burden of Osteoporosis in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan. We carried out a review of the available literature and a survey of the representatives of the national osteoporosis societies. All the information available in English, Russian, or national languages including the publications of local or regional importance was analyzed. The expected number of osteoporosis patients varies from 240,000 in Armenia to 16 million in Russia. Low-energy fractures are a serious health problem in all countries with the highest incidence in Kazakhstan and Russia. The rate of hip fracture patients’ hospitalization in the majority of countries is low (33–80%). In the coming decades the populations, in particular, in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, will continue to show increases in life expectancy with a corresponding increase in the number of fractures in older people. Thus, in 2050, the number of hip fractures in these countries will increase by 2.5–3.5 times. However, the availability of DXA devices in the region is low (0.2–1.3 per million), and DXA tests are expensive. Almost all modern treatments for osteoporosis are available, but the costs are high even for alendronate. Urgent action is needed at the national level in each country including recognition of osteoporosis as a priority health issue. Osteoporosis is an important health problem in the countries of the Eurasian region that will only get worse in the future due to expected demographic changes.

Summary The hip fracture rates from Kazakhstan were used to create a surrogate FRAX® model for the Kyrgyz Republic. Introduction The International Society for Clinical Densitometry and International Osteoporosis Foundation recommend utilizing a surrogate FRAX model, based on the country-specific risk of death, and fracture data based on a country where fracture rates are considered to be representative of the index country. Objective This paper describes a surrogate FRAX model for the Kyrgyz Republic. Methods The FRAX model used the incidence of hip fracture from the neighbouring country of Kazakhstan and the death risk for the Kyrgyz Republic. Results Compared with the model for Kazakhstan, the surrogate model gave somewhat higher 10-year fracture probabilities for men between 60 and 80 years of age and lower probabilities for men above the age of 80. For women the probabilities were similar up to the age of 75–80 years and then lower. There were very close correlations in fracture probabilities between the surrogate and authentic models (1.00) so that the use of the Kyrgyz model had little impact on the rank order of risk. It was estimated that 2752 hip fractures arose in 2015 in individuals over the age of 50 years in the Kyrgyz Republic, with a predicted increase by 207% to 8435 in 2050. Conclusion The surrogate FRAX model for the Kyrgyz Republic provides the opportunity to determine fracture probability among the Kyrgyz population and help guide decisions about treatment.

Summary A prospective population-based survey in a region of the Republic of Uzbekistan determined the incidence of fractures at the hip. The hip fracture rates were used to create a FRAX® model to facilitate fracture risk assessment in Uzbekistan. Objective This paper describes the epidemiology of hip fracture in the Republic of Uzbekistan that was used to develop a country-specific FRAX® tool for fracture prediction. Methods During a 1-year (2016/17) prospective population-based survey in the Pap district of the Republic of Uzbekistan, hip fractures were prospectively identified from hospital registers, trauma centres and primary care and community sources. Age- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for Uzbekistan. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from neighbouring Kazakhstan and Kyrgystan. Results Approximately 41% of hip fracture cases did not come to medical attention, and two thirds of patients overall were not admitted to hospital. The incidence of hip fracture applied nationally suggested that the estimated number of hip fractures nationwide in persons over the age of 50 years for 2015 was 16,764 and is predicted to increase more than three-fold to 60,272 in 2050. FRAX-based probabilities were higher in Uzbekistan than Kazakhstan or Kyrgystan. Conclusion The FRAX model should enhance accuracy of determining fracture probability among the Uzbek population and help guide decisions about treatment.

To extend elderly patients’ active longevity, practitioners all over the world need a precise clinical instrument to assess the 10-year osteoporotic fractures probability and choose the optimal preventive intervention. The purpose of this research is to assess major osteoporotic (OP) fractures incidence in CIS countries and to create country-specific computing FRAX clinical prediction tools. Method. We carried out a cohort population-based study (EVA) in Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in 2011-2018. The age- and sexspecific OP fracture incidence values were incorporated into the computing FRAX models. Results. We revealed that the highest standardized HP incidence was obtained in Kazakhstan (338 and 255 per 100 000 per year for women and men older than 50 years resp.) and Moldova (331, 0 and 155, 0 per year for women and men resp.), the lowest in Armenia (201 and 136 per 100 000 per year for women and men resp.). The FRAX models showed that in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Moldova, elderly people had the highest hip fracture probabilities. Estimates reveal that the OP fractures numbers in the EVA-project countries will grow by 1.5-3 times by 2050. Conclusion. The created national FRAX instruments should enhance the accuracy of determining fracture probability among older people, help clinicians to make decisions concerning OP prophylactic, and to step forward to reducing the burden of age-related diseases.

Summary: Fracture probabilities derived from the surrogate FRAX model for Armenia were compared to those from the model based on regional estimates of the incidence of hip fracture. Disparities between the surrogate and authentic FRAX models indicate the importance of developing country-specific FRAX models. Despite large differences between models, differences in the rank order of fracture probabilities were minimal. Objective: Armenia has relied on a surrogate FRAX model based on the fracture epidemiology of Romania. This paper describes the epidemiology of fragility fractures in Armenia used to create an Armenia-specific FRAX model with an aim of comparing this new model with the surrogate model. Methods: We carried out a population-based study in two regions of Armenia (Ararat and Vayots Dzor representing approximately 11% of the country’s population). We aimed to identify all low-energy fractures: retrospectively from hospital registers in 2011–2012 and prospectively in 2013 with the inclusion of primary care sources. Results: The differences in incidence between the surveys with and without data from primary care suggested that 44% of patients sustaining a hip fracture did not receive specialized medical care. A similar proportion of forearm and humeral fractures did not come to hospital attention (48 and 49%, respectively). Only 57.7% of patients sustaining a hip fracture were hospitalized. In 2013, hip fracture incidence at the age of 50 years or more was 201/100,000 for women and 136/100,000 for men, and age- and sex-specific rates were incorporated into the new “authentic” FRAX model for Armenia. Compared to the surrogate model, the authentic model gave lower 10-year fracture probabilities in men and women aged less than 70 years but substantially higher above this age. Notwithstanding, there were very close correlations in fracture probabilities between the surrogate and authentic models ( > 0.99) so that the revisions had little impact on the rank order of risk. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of major osteoporotic fractures in Armenia do not come to hospital attention. The disparities between surrogate and authentic FRAX models indicate the importance of developing country-specific FRAX models. Despite large differences between models, differences in the rank order of fracture probabilities were minimal.

Objective: This paper describes the setting up of training for family physicians in mental health skills, with the results obtained for the first 75 doctors who attended the course, in the city of Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation. Methods: Instruction was by lectures, discussion groups, and role-plays, initially using the World Psychiatric Association's (WPA) training materials on mental health skills for general medical practitioners, dubbed into Russian. This represented the first time that formal teaching on depression and unexplained somatic symptoms (USS) had been offered to these doctors. Teaching was initially by English teachers, but is now led by a Russian family physician using videotaped recordings of local doctors speaking in Russian. All doctors were tested for both knowledge and clinical practice before the course and 3 months after the course was completed. Results: Older doctors started the course from a lower knowledge base than younger doctors, but acquired more knowledge. Theoretical kn...

Background The Arkhangelsk Oblast is an area the size of France with a sparsely distributed population. The existing primary care staff have had very little training in the management of mental health disorders, despite the frequency of these disorders in the population. They requested special teaching on depression, suicide, somatisation and alcohol problems. Methods An educational intervention was developed in partnership with mental health and primary care staff in Russia, to develop mental health skills using established, evidence-based methods. After a preliminary demonstration of teaching methods to be employed, a 5-day full-time teaching course was offered to trainers of general practitioners and feldshers. Results The findings are presented by providing details of improvements that occurred over a 3-month period in four areas, namely depression in primary care, somatic presentations of distress, dealing with suicidal patients, and alcohol problems. We present preliminary data on how the training has generalised since our visits to Archangelsk. Conclusions Teachers who are used to teaching by didactic lectures can be taught the value of short introductory talks that invite discussion, and mental health skills can be taught using role play. The content of such training should be driven by perceived local needs, and developed in conjunction with local leaders and teachers within primary care services. Further research will be needed to establish the impact on clinical outcomes.

Summary Retrospective and prospective population-based survey in a region of the Republic of Kazakhstan determined the incidence of fractures at the hip, proximal humerus and distal forearm. The hip fracture rates were used to create a FRAX® model to enhance fracture risk assessment in Kazakhstan. Objective This paper describes the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures in the Republic of Kazakhstan that was used to develop a country specific FRAX® tool for fracture prediction. Methods We carried out a retrospective population-based survey in Taldykorgan in the Republic of Kazakhstan representing approximately 1% of the country’s population. Hip, forearm and humerus fractures were identified retrospectively in 2015 and 2016 from hospital registers and the trauma centre. Hip fractures were prospectively identified in 2017 from the same sources and additionally from primary care data. Age- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for Kazakhstan. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from neighbouring countries having FRAX models. Results The difference in hip fracture incidence between the retrospective and prospective survey indicated that approximately 25% of hip fracture cases did not come to hospital attention. The incidence of hip fracture applied nationally suggested that the estimated number of hip fractures nationwide in persons over the age of 50 years for 2015 was 11,690 and is predicted to increase by 140% to 28,000 in 2050. Hip fracture incidence was a good predictor of forearm and humeral fractures in men but not in women. Conclusion The FRAX model should enhance accuracy of determining fracture probability among the Kazakh population and help guide decisions about treatment.