Osteoporosis – the most common human bone disease – occurs when bone resorption exceeds bone formation, resulting in reduced bone strength, poor bone quality, and an increased risk of bone fracture. In 1994, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined osteoporosis as:
“A disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to enhanced bone fragility and consequent increase of fracture risk.”
As part of the natural aging process, bones begin to deteriorate faster than new bone can be formed, eventually progressing to a point where a fracture can easily occur causing pain, disability…even death. The most common fractures are those of the proximal femur (hip), vertebrae (spine) and distal forearm (wrist).
Women are four times more likely to develop the disease than men. However, men suffer 1/3 of all the hip fractures that occur. And 1/3 of these men will not survive more than a year.
Risk Factors
Age: A woman’s risk of osteoporosis increases as she gets older. Bones become weaker and less dense as we age.
Gender: Women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis because they have less bone tissue to begin with and lose bone more rapidly than men due to changes during menopause.
Race: Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop osteoporosis.
Bone Structure and Body Weight: Small-boned and thin women are at greater risk.
Menopause/Menstrual History: Normal or early menopause – brought about naturally or because of surgery – increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. In addition, women who stop menstruating before menopause because of conditions such as anorexia or bulimia, or because of excessive physical exercise, may also lose bone tissue and develop osteoporosis.
Lifestyle: Smoking, excessive intake of alcohol, consuming inadequate amounts of calcium, or getting little or no weight-bearing exercise increases the chances of developing osteoporosis.
Medications & Disease: Osteoporosis is associated with certain medications (e.g., corticosteroids) and is a recognized complication of a number of medical conditions, including some endocrine disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and immobilization.
Family History: Susceptibility to fracture may be, in part, hereditary. Women whose mothers have a history of vertebral fractures are at increased risk of fracturing.
To confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis or determine one’s risk for developing the disease, most doctors require a comprehensive medical assessment, including a lifestyle survey and medical history. Based on the number of risk factors, a doctor may recommend that the patient have a bone density test. Bone densitometry is the accepted standard for quantifying bone mass at various skeletal sites.
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