Insights and Inspirations from the WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2025 Congress in Rome - ECGI Reporter
- secretariat012
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
Author: Maria Bonnici
Affiliation: Geriatric Medicine Department, Malta
From April 10th to 13th, the Eternal City welcomed delegates from around the globe for the 2025 World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO). Held in Rome’s spacious La Nuvola Congress Centre, the event blended historic surroundings with cutting-edge science.
The programme was rich and diverse, featuring plenary sessions, symposia, oral communications, and “Meet the Expert” workshops. Topics spanned a wide spectrum of musculoskeletal health. Key sessions included updates on long-term strategies for osteoporosis management, particularly post-denosumab sequencing and the integration of anabolic therapies. A clear takeaway: the importance of sustained antiresorptive therapy following anabolic agents to consolidate bone gains and prevent rebound bone loss.
Another important theme was the complex interplay between obesity, body composition, and fracture risk. Despite higher bone mineral density (BMD), patients with sarcopenic obesity were shown to carry a greater fracture burden. There were also valuable insights into pharmacologic management in special populations. Sessions on pregnancy-induced osteoporosis and bone health in cancer and patients witk chronic kidney disease (CKD) provided practical guidance on nuanced clinical decision-making.
EuGMS actively participated with the EuGMS-ESCEO symposium reflecting the growing synergy between geriatric medicine and bone health. The dedicated EuGMS session was well-attended, addressing special considerations in the prevention of fragility fractures in the oldest old, underdiagnosis in older women and men, and the intersection of frailty, falls, and fracture risk.
Socially, the congress was equally enriching. It was a pleasure to reconnect with colleagues from across Europe — including national osteoporosis society representatives — and to share ideas, research updates, and future collaborations. The vibrant Roman setting added to the atmosphere, whether over a coffee between sessions or during an evening stroll.
In summary, WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2025 reminded us how far the field has come — and how important it is to continue working across disciplines and borders. For geriatricians, the messages were clear: individualised care, lifelong skeletal health strategies, and a holistic view of ageing are essential.
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