Osteoporosis
A Leading cause of Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCFs)
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.
Normal, Healthy Bone
Osteoporatic Bone
Although it's often thought of as a women's disease, osteoporosis also affects asignificant 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. Additionally, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men will experience an osteoporotic fracture during the course of aging. Spinal fractures are the most common, with more than 800,000 such fractures occurring each year in the United States alone.
Download our helpful resources:
Osteoporosis Patient Brochure (517 KB, PDF)
Osteoporosis Fact Sheet (595 KB, PDF)
Factors increasing the likelihood of Osteoporosis and Osteoporotic Fractures:
- Gender
- Age
- Race
- Family history
- Frame size
- Lifestyle
- Alcoholism
- Corticosteroid medications
- Thyroid hormone
- Some diuretics
- Other medications
- Breast cancer
- Medical conditions and procedures that decrease calcium absorption
For more information, please visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Osteoporosis & Bone Health Resources
- Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education A non-profit resource center, dedicated to preventing osteoporosis through research and education of the public and medical community to increase awareness of risk, detection, prevention and treatment.
- International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) The International Osteoporosis Foundation is the largest global non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
- National Osteoporosis Foundation The NOF exists to prevent osteoporosis and related fractures, to promote lifelong bone health, to help improve the lives of those affected by osteoporosis and to find a cure through programs of awareness, advocacy, public and health professional education and research.
- NIH - Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases The NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases - National Resource Center provides patients, health professionals, and the public with an important link to resources and information on metabolic bone diseases. The mission of NIH ORBD-NRC is to expand awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of the prevention, early detection, and treatment of these diseases as well as strategies for coping with them.
- Osteoporosis Society of Canada Osteoporosis Canada, a registered charity, is the only national organization serving people who have, or are at risk for, osteoporosis. The organization works to educate, empower and support individuals and communities in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis.
- National Osteoporosis Society of the United Kingdom The National Osteoporosis Society of the United Kingdom is the only UK wide charity dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
