Abstract
Osteoporosis is a worldwide disease characterized by reduction of bone mass and alteration
of bone architecture resulting in increased bone fragility and increased fracture
risk. Causes of osteoporosis include increasing age, female sex, postmenopausal status,
hypogonadism or premature ovarian failure, low body mass index, ethnic background,
rheumatoid arthritis, low bone mineral density (BMD), vitamin D deficiency, low calcium
intake, hyperkyphosis, current smoking, alcohol abuse, immobilization, and long-term
use of certain medications. The diagnosis of osteoporosis is established by measurement
of BMD of the hip and spine using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. According to the
World Health Organization criteria, osteoporosis is defined as a BMD that lies 2.5
standard deviation or more below the average value for young healthy women. Bone turnover
biomarker detection may be useful in monitoring osteoporosis treatment and assessing
fracture risk but not for diagnosis of osteoporosis. Management of osteoporosis consists
of nonpharmacological interventions, which are recommended for all subjects, and pharmacological
therapy in all postmenopausal women who have had an osteoporotic fracture or have
BMD values consistent with osteoporosis.
Keywords
osteoporosis - DEXA - bone mineral density - anabolic agents - antiresorptive agents
