25/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Congress of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (OF), to end in Rio de Janiero on 18 May, reached the following conclusions: (1) diagnosis could be improved by a combination of information on risk factors, body composition and measurement of bone density; (2) the smoking-related risk factor was confirmed; (3) bone structure is important in preventing fractures; (4) men are more likely than women to die as a result of a hip fracture; (5) certain new drugs can increase bone mass; (6) genetic differences linked to bone density were identified; (7) the importance of vitamin D and exercise, especially for girls, for future protection against osteoporosis was confirmed. (For further information, see http://www.osteofound.org ).