HAVANA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Renowned experts from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Cuba attended the Osteoporosis Symposium held at the Center for Medical-Surgical Research (Cimeq) in Havana, local reports said Wednesday.

The meeting was aimed at updating the clinical researches on orthopedics and analyzing the characteristics and treatments of osteoporosis and its main effect -- fractures.

Specialits shared their experiences in this field during the three-day meeting, said Alfredo Ceballos, president of the organizing committee of the event.

According to international agencies, around 100 million people in the world suffer from osteoporosis, which causes high disability and mortality rates.

Factors leading to the disease include a lack of exercises, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, as well as hyperthyroidism and excessive levels of corticosteroides caused by the continued use of asthma medications.