Dr. Salwa B. Al-Aidarous
Dr. Al-Aidarous is a Consultant in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at King Khalid National Guard Hospital, Jeddah. She is also a Board Member of both the Saudi Diabetic Society and Saudi Osteoporosis Society.
She earned her MBChB from the Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University back in 1990. She worked as a resident in Accident and Emergency Department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital before joining the Arab and Saudi Board Program in Internal Medicine at KKNGH. She was a Pre-Scholar Physician in Endocrinology there before completing her Fellowship in Endocrinology at the University of Alberta, Canada.
She's a Certified Clinical Densitometrist and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, UK. She has multiple research interests relating to endocrinology. She is a speaker in many national and international courses and conferences.
She is the recipient of the Best Resident at KKNGH Award and Best Teacher among Fellows Award at the University of Alberta.
She will give a lecture about: "The Treatment of Osteoporosis: Where Are We Now, and Do the Emerging Therapeutic Agents Offer a Brighter Future?"
the following is the abstract of her talk
Osteoporosis is a major public health concern, with the potential to affect an ever-increasing proportion of the population and to place a substantial burden on the healthcare system. There are a number of therapeutic agents currently available that are able to reduce the risk of fracture, with bisphosphonates representing the primary option. However, the situation is often complicated by side effects and issues of compliance.
As our understanding of bone biology and the mechanisms controlling bone resorption and formation have increased, so have the signaling molecules that represent potential targets for the treatment of osteoporosis. Therapy has also often been complicated by the coupling between bone formation and resorption, in that while antiresorptive therapy halts bone loss, it also can inhibit bone formation, thereby not resolving the condition. Interestingly, recent preliminary reports suggest that inhibition of resorption by cathepsin K inhibitors augments bone formation. This unique mechanism of action may represent a significant advance in the development of therapeutic strategies to prevent bone destruction in osteoporosis.
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
1. Explain the biology of bone, including the mechanisms that regulate bone formation and resorption.
2. Review the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, including associated clinical issues.
3. Outline the currently available therapeutic options for osteoporosis.
4. Identify agents in development, including the role of cathepsin K in the treatment of osteoporosis.
