Explore our highlights from WCO-IOF-ESCEO, featuring exclusive interviews with Ali Mobasheri, Elena Bischoff, Maritza Vidal, and Joyce McSwan.
The 26th World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO) was held in Prague, Czech Republic, from April 16–19, 2026. Organized by leading scientific bodies in bone and joint health, the congress brought together international experts to share cutting-edge research, clinical developments, and emerging therapies in musculoskeletal medicine. The event advanced understanding of bone metabolism and related diseases while fostering innovation in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies through a dynamic and collaborative scientific programme.
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Sarcopenia
Professor Ali Mobasheri (University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland)
Sarcopenia is a progressive, age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function that significantly contributes to frailty, disability, and adverse health outcomes in older adults. The evolving role of biomarkers, including both imaging and biochemical approaches, is reshaping how sarcopenia can be detected, stratified, and monitored with greater precision across the care continuum. In this Q&A, Professor Ali Mobasheri explores how sarcopenia markers can enhance identification and assessment within frailty care pathways, highlights those closest to routine clinical use, examines key implementation challenges, and discusses the evidence needed to support their broader adoption in clinical practice.
Osteoporosis
Dr Elena Bischoff (Burgas State University, Burgas, Bulgaria)
Osteoporosis is a common and clinically significant comorbidity in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The disease contributes to an increased risk of fractures, chronic pain, and functional impairment, imposing a considerable burden on patients and healthcare systems alike. In this Q&A, Dr Elena Bischoff explores the prevalence and fracture risk of osteoporosis in these populations, the underlying mechanisms of bone loss, how chronic inflammation disrupts bone homeostasis, additional contributing risk factors, and current best practices for screening and management.
Hypophosphatasia
Dr Maritza Vidal (Centro de Diagnóstico de Osteoporosis y Enfermedades Reumáticas, Lima, Perú)
Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare genetic disorder caused by loss-of-function variants in the ALPL gene, resulting in low alkaline phosphatase activity and defective bone and tooth mineralization. In this Q&A, we spoke with Dr Maritza Vidal about where hypophosphatasia stands today in terms of recognition, clinical burden, and key challenges in diagnosis and management. Dr Vidal also explores the current treatment landscape and emerging therapeutic approaches, while highlighting recent research developments shaping our understanding of hypophosphatasia and the key priorities for advancing care.
Frailty
Dr Joyce Mcswan (PainWISE, Robina, Australia)
Frailty is a common and significant issue among older Australians, linked to poorer health outcomes and reduced resilience, yet it frequently goes undetected in primary care due to limited routine screening, and despite encouraging results from international community-based care models, there is still a lack of strong evidence within Australian primary care settings. In this Q&A, Dr Joyce Mcswan discusses the implementation and findings of the “Frailty in Community” program, Australia’s first integrated primary care program for frail and at-risk older adults.
More content in musculoskeletal diseases.
This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchIMMUNOLOGY. It is not affiliated with the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO). Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
Cite: Inside WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2026: In conversation with leading experts. touchIMMUNOLOGY. 20 April 2026.
Editor: Victoria Smith, Senior Content Editor.
