Editorial

Dear Colleague,

During the last 20 years, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis have emerged as two of the most disabling conditions, in elderly patients from both genders. The financial burden related to fractures of the spine, the forearm or the hip, as well as to the physical impairment resulting from osteoarthritis of the hand, spine, hip or knee is now unanimously considered as a major determinant of the healthcare budget. In our countries, the costs related to the hospitalisation following an osteoporotic fracture or a surgical procedure related to osteoarthritis, as well as the disabling process related to the progressive weakening of the skeleton are continuously growing. Besides this financial consideration, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, through their consequences, have a major impact on the quality of life of our patients. In this dramatic context, the development of highly reliable procedures for detection of high risk patients and early diagnosis of bone loss is a major help. Similarly, new techniques have now emerged to accurately diagnose osteoarthritis at its earlier stages and are also highly useful in monitoring the response of patients to the treatment of this disorder. Eventually, several compounds have now shown their ability to slow down the process of postmenopausal bone loss or cartilage degradation and to prevent fractures in patients with established osteoporosis.

The World Health Organisation Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Rheumatic Disorders, in Liège, on behalf of the International Foundation for Osteoporosis and Other Skeletal Diseases, under the auspices of the Group for the Respect of Ethics and Excellence in Science and the International League of Associations for Rheumatology, is proud to organise the Fourth Meeting fully dedicated to the Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis. The Organising Committee has spared no efforts to ensure that this meeting will be an exciting and enriching experience. The city of Nice, capital of the French Riviera, offers a convenient and pleasant setting for the international congresses.

We look forward to meeting you in November 2003 and we will do our best to make this meeting all the more memorable.