Osteoporosis

Despite advances in medical therapy for osteoporosis, osteoporotic compression fractures remain a common problem of patients seen by primary care physicians. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, or 55% of the population 50 years of age and older. In the U.S., 10 million people are estimated to already have the disease and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk.

A skeletal disorder, osteoporosis is characterized by weakened bone strength, which results in an increased risk of fracture. One in 2 women and 1 in 4 men will experience an osteoporotic fracture during the course of aging. Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are the most common with more than 700,000 such fractures reported nationally each year.

Although it's often thought of as a women's disease, osteoporosis also affects a significant number of men because of delayed puberty, inadequate calcium intake, smoking, alcoholism, or the use of medications such as glucocorticoids. Approximately 44 million women and men age 50 and older have osteoporosis and/or low bone mass. Spinal fractures are the most common, with more than 800,000 such fractures occurring each year in the United States alone.

Because early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis is important, patients should see their doctor or find a specialist if they experience any of these symptoms.