Male osteoporosis-what are the causes,diagnostic challenges,and management

Osteoporosis is underrecognized and undertreated in men, even though up to 25% of fractures in patients over the age of 50 years occur in men. Men develop osteoporosis with normal aging and accumulation of comorbidities that cause bone loss. Secondary causes of bone loss may be found in up to 60% of men with osteoporosis. Mortality in men who experience major fragility fracture is greater than in women. Diagnosis of osteoporosis in men is similar to women, based on low-trauma or fragility fractures, and/or bone mineral density dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) T-scores at or below ?2.5. Because most clinical trials with osteoporosis drugs in men were based on bone density endpoints, not fracture reduction, the antifracture efficacy of approved treatments in men is not as well documented as that in women. Men at a high risk of fracture should be offered treatment to reduce future fractures.     

The role of rank-ligand inhibition in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease affecting millions of people worldwide in which a decreased bone mass and a microarchitectural deterioration compromise bone strength leading to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fracture. Bone turnover increases at menopause, with osteoclast-mediated bone resorption exceeding bone formation. Recent discoveries in bone biology have demonstrated that RANKL, a cytokine member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, is an essential mediator of osteoclast formation, function and survival. Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody with a high affinity and specificity for human RANKL. By binding to its target, denosumab prevents the interaction of RANKL with its receptor RANK on osteoclasts and their precursors and inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Administered as a subcutaneous injection every six months, denosumab has been shown to decrease bone turnover and to increase bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with low bone mass and osteoporosis. In these patients denosumab significantly reduced the risk of vertebral fractures, hip fractures and nonvertebral fractures. In all clinical trials published to date, denosumab was well tolerated with an incidence of adverse events, including infections and malignancy, generally similar to subjects receiving placebo or alendronate. The denosumab therapeutic regimen consisting in a subcutaneous injection every 6 months may increase patient compliance and persistence with a further benefit from treatment. By providing a new molecular target for osteoporosis treatment, denosumab is a promising drug for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures.     

Prevention of incident fractures in patients with prevalent fragility fractures: Current and future approaches

Fragility fractures are a significant, independent risk factor for new fractures, but treatment uptake in subjects with prevalent fractures is disappointing. We addressed the question of the efficacy of pharmacological interventions in reducing the risk of incident fractures in patients with prevalent fragility fractures. For this, we reviewed randomised controlled trials (RCTs), pre-planned and post-hoc analyses of RCTs of approved agents for the treatment of osteoporosis. Results showed that a number of agents decrease the risk of incident vertebral and nonvertebral fractures in subjects with prevalent vertebral fractures, justifying the recommendation of treating such patients independently of the level of bone mineral density (BMD). By contrast, the evidence of antifracture efficacy of these agents in patients with prevalent nonvertebral fractures is limited. Advances in our understanding of the regulation of bone metabolism at the molecular level have identified targets for the development of new therapeutics for osteoporosis, some of which are currently in phase 3 clinical development.     

STOP Fracture study: Southern Health Osteoporotic Fracture Screening Project

Background: Osteoporosis is a major healthcare issue with over 50% of postmenopausal women suffering an osteoporosis‐related fracture. Vertebral fractures, the commonest, are often asymptomatic, unrecognised and untreated. Aims: In a high risk population we aimed to screen for vertebral fractures with a lateral chest X‐ray then to intervene to highlight risk and improve fracture prevention. Methods: In this prospective interventional study, 104 postmenopausal women, presenting to hospital for unrelated conditions, were recruited. A baseline lateral chest X‐ray and fracture risk questionnaire was completed with a follow‐up questionnaire at 12 months. Where fractures were detected the study team intervened through correspondence, including evidence‐based guidelines recommending investigations and management to patients and general practitioners. Results: Ninety‐six women had a lateral chest X‐ray with 53 (55%) having vertebral fractures. Sixty‐five women completed baseline questionnaires and 64/65 had a calculated 5‐year fracture risk greater than 10%. At 12 months, 21% were commenced or continued on bisphosphonates with 17% adhering to therapy while eight had sustained a subsequent symptomatic fracture and eight women had died. Conclusions: Fifty‐five per cent of women over 65 years, presenting to hospital with unrelated medical conditions, had a previous minimal trauma vertebral fracture on lateral chest X‐ray. Potentially, a lateral chest X‐ray may provide a simple effective screening tool for osteoporotic fracture in this high‐risk population. Despite notification and recommendations to both patients and general practitioners, treatment uptake was poor, highlighting the need for further research into risk perception and behaviour change in both practitioners and patients.     

Type 2 diabetes and bone fragility- An under-recognized association

Background and aimsDiabetes and osteoporosis are common chronic disorders with growing prevalence in the aging population. Skeletal fragility secondary to diabetes increases the risk of fractures and is underestimated by currently available diagnostic tools like fracture risk assessment (FRAX) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In this narrative review we describe the relationship and pathophysiology of skeletal fragility and fractures in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), effect of glucose lowering medications on bone metabolism and the approach to diagnosing and managing osteoporosis and bone fragility in people with diabetes (PWD).MethodsA literature search was conducted on PubMed for articles in English that focused on T2DM and osteoporosis or bone/skeletal fragility. Articles considered to be of direct clinical relevance to physicians practicing diabetes were included.ResultsT2DM is associated with skeletal fragility secondary to compromised bone remodeling and bone turnover. Long duration, poor glycemic control, presence of chronic complications, impaired muscle function, and anti-diabetic medications like thiazolidinediones (TZD) are risk factors for fractures among PWD. Conventional diagnostic tools like DXA and FRAX tool underestimate fracture risk in diabetes. Presence of diabetes does not alter response to anti-osteoporotic treatment in post-menopausal women.ConclusionEstimation of fragility fracture risk should be included in standard of care for T2DM along with screening for traditional complications. Physicians should proactively screen for and manage osteoporosis in people with diabetes. It is important to consider effects on bone health when selecting glucose lowering agents in people at risk for fragility fractures.     

Fragility fractures and the osteoporosis care gap: an international phenomenon

OBJECTIVES: To describe practice patterns in the management of osteoporosis after fragility fracture. METHODS: Systematic review of articles in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases (1996 to February 2005). Diagnostic outcomes included clinical osteoporosis diagnoses, laboratory tests, and bone density scans. Treatment outcomes included initiation of calcium, vitamin D, hormone replacement therapy, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, raloxifene and falls assessments. RESULTS: Thirty-five studies met our inclusion criteria and demonstrated that adults who experience fragility fracture are not receiving osteoporosis management. An osteoporosis diagnosis was reported in 1 to 45% of patients with fractures; laboratory tests were ordered for 1 to 49% and 1 to 32% of patients had bone density scans. Calcium/vitamin D and pharmacological therapy was reported in 2 to 62% and 1 to 65% of patients, respectively. Osteoporosis treatment was recommended more often in women than men, and more often in patients with vertebral fractures than in patients with nonvertebral fractures. Older patients were more likely to be diagnosed with osteoporosis, but treatment was more likely in younger patients. A history of prior fracture was reported in 7 to 67% of patients. Between 1 and 22% of patients had a subsequent fracture during follow-up periods of 6 months to 5 years. Falls assessments were not often reported; when they were, they were infrequently performed. A greater proportion of patients were diagnosed/treated during follow-up studies than in studies evaluating diagnosis/treatment on discharge from acute care. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of individuals who sustain fragility fractures are not receiving adequate osteoporosis management. Future research should address barriers to appropriate management and the efficacy of implementation strategies designed to close the osteoporosis care gap. RELEVANCE: This article is of particular importance to health care professionals who provide care for patients with fragility fracture.     

Prevention and treatment strategies for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic fractures

Glucocorticoids are the most common cause of drug-related osteoporosis. We reviewed current evidence on risk factors for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) and prevention and treatment of GIOP-related fractures. Guidelines for GIOP management published since 2000 were also reviewed. Significant bone loss and increased fracture risk is seen with daily prednisone doses as low as 5 mg. Alternate-day glucocorticoid therapy can lead to similar bone loss. No conclusive evidence exists for a safe minimum dose or duration of glucocorticoid exposure. Physicians should consider risk factors for involutional osteoporosis such as older age, postmenopausal status, and baseline bone density measurements as they assess patients for prevention or treatment of GIOP. Bisphosphonates were reported to reduce GIOP-related vertebral fractures, but inconclusive data exist for hip fractures associated with glucocorticoid use. Hormone replacement therapy and parathyroid hormone analogs are effective in preserving bone density in GIOP. The risk of osteoporosis and fractures should be routinely assessed in patients receiving glucocorticoid therapy. Effective prevention and treatment options are available and can result in meaningful reduction of GIOP-related morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines for GIOP management recommend bisphosphonates, especially alendronate and risedronate, as first-line agents for GIOP, and these guidelines propose the preventive use of bisphosphonates early in the course of glucocorticoid therapy in high-risk patient subgroups.     

Secondary prevention and estimation of fracture risk

The key questions addressed in this chapter are:? How can individual risk of fracture be best estimated?? What is the best system to prevent a further fracture?? How to implement systems for preventing further fractures?Absolute fracture risk calculators (FRCs) provide a means to estimate an individual's future fracture risk. FRCs are widely available and provide clinicians and patients a platform to discuss the need for intervention to prevent fragility fractures.Despite availability of effective osteoporosis medicines for almost two decades, most patients presenting with new fragility fractures do not receive secondary preventive care. The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) model has been shown in a number of countries to eliminate the care gap in a clinically and cost-effective manner.Leading international and national organisations have developed comprehensive resources and/or national strategy documents to provide guidance on implementation of FLS in local, regional and national health-care systems.     

Effects of long-term strontium ranelate treatment on the risk of nonvertebral and vertebral fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis: Results of a five-year, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the effect of strontium ranelate on nonvertebral and vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in a 5-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 5,091 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were randomized to receive either strontium ranelate at 2 gm/day or placebo for 5 years. The main efficacy criterion was the incidence of nonvertebral fractures. In addition, incidence of hip fractures was assessed, by post hoc analysis, in the subset of 1,128 patients who were at high risk of fractures (age 74 years or older with lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density T scores -2.4 or less). The incidence of new vertebral fractures was assessed, using the semiquantitative method described by Genant, in the 3,646 patients in whom spinal radiography (a nonmandatory procedure) was performed during the course of the study. Fracture data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier survival method. RESULTS: Of the 5,091 patients, 2,714 (53%) completed the study up to 5 years. The risk of nonvertebral fracture was reduced by 15% in the strontium ranelate group compared with the placebo group (relative risk 0.85 [95% confidence interval 0.73-0.99]). The risk of hip fracture was decreased by 43% (relative risk 0.57 [95% confidence interval 0.33-0.97]), and the risk of vertebral fracture was decreased by 24% (relative risk 0.76 [95% CI 0.65-0.88]) in the strontium ranelate group. After 5 years, the safety profile of strontium ranelate remained unchanged compared with the 3-year findings. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with strontium ranelate results in a sustained reduction in the incidence of osteoporotic nonvertebral fractures, including hip fractures, and vertebral fractures over 5 years.     

Treatment of osteoporosis with bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are safe and effective agents for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Alendronate and risedronate are the best studied of all agents for osteoporosis in terms of efficacy and safety. They increase bone mass. In patients who have established osteoporosis, they reduce the risk of vertebral fractures. They are the only agents shown in prospective trials to reduce the risk of hip fractures and other nonvertebral fractures. They are approved by the US FDA for prevention of bone loss in recently menopausal women, for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and for management of glucocorticoid-induced bone loss. Other bisphosphonates (e.g., etidronate for oral use, pamidronate for intravenous infusion) are also available and can be used off-label for patients who cannot tolerate approved agents. Bisphosphonates combined with estrogen produce greater gains in bone mass compared with either agent used alone; whether there is a greater benefit of combination therapy on fracture risk is not clear. Combining a bisphosphonate with raloxifene or calcitonin is probably safe, although data on effectiveness are lacking.     

COPD, bone metabolism, and osteoporosis

COPD and osteoporosis are strongly associated because of common risk factors such as age, smoking, and inactivity. In addition, COPD-related systemic inflammation, vitamin D deficiency, and the use of systemic corticosteroids enhance ongoing bone destruction. Osteoporosis, in turn, may cause fragility fractures, which further impair mobility and increase morbidity and mortality. Vertebral compression fractures and rib cage fractures in patients with COPD may also reduce pulmonary function or enhance exacerbations. Early prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in COPD is, therefore, important and should be based on integrated risk assessment tools such as FRAX, which take bone mineral density, history of fragility fractures, and population-specific clinical factors into account. As long as intervention studies focusing on the bone in COPD are lacking, a more rigorous application of existing treatment guidelines of osteoporosis in general is mandatory.     

Osteoporosis disease management for fragility fracture patients: new understandings based on three years' experience with an osteoporosis care service

OBJECTIVE: To review the 3-year performance of an established osteoporosis care service and consider further improvements in an effort to reduce fragility fractures. METHODS: Osteoporosis care has been coordinated for all willing and able patients with orthopedic fragility fractures in our health system by a nurse and medical director since 2003, using a guideline-based care algorithm and task management software. Patients were followed by telephone for 2 years to monitor their status and optimize adherence to treatment. Demographics, management recommendations, clinical data, and adherence to treatment were reviewed for the 2003-2005 patient population. RESULTS: Of 1,019 patients with fragility fractures, 61% underwent osteoporosis evaluation and treatment. The remainder included 15% who refused to participate and 24% who were unable to participate for various logistical and health reasons. More patients age >80 years were unwilling or unable to participate. Bone densities (dual x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]) were normal, low, or osteoporotic in 24%, 55%, and 21% of patients, respectively, and 60% of the osteoporotic group had > or = 1 abnormal metabolic bone laboratory result. Only 17% of the total reported a previous fracture, and 47% had ever undergone DXA. Few experienced bone loss, a new fracture, or bisphosphonate intolerance during treatment. CONCLUSION: An osteoporosis care service has coordinated care for every willing and able fragility fracture patient with positive outcomes. In addition, the results suggest a high priority for earlier proactive diagnosis and intervention of the at-risk population if fractures are to be reduced.     

Vertebral fragility fractures – How to treat them?

Approximately 20% of men and women aged 50 years or older will present with a vertebral fragility fracture - a prevalence that steadily increases with age. The condition may be associated with severe pain and disability, significant reductions in overall quality of life, mobility, social participation, sleep quality and increased fear for the future. There is, however, no current consensus on what constitutes the best management of symptomatic vertebral fractures. Moreover, evidence supporting common treatment approaches is scarce and often of poor quality. The lack of adequate management of VFF and associated osteoporosis and the burden of this condition to patient and society are estimated to increase substantially in coming years as recurrent, disabling episodes are set to occur. This chapter will address these issues, including a discussion on existing care pathways for vertebral fragility fractures, and an overview of the evidence supporting recommendations of the main international clinical practice guidelines.     

Bisphosphonate treatment of osteoporosis

Bisphosphonates represent the agents of choice for most patients with osteoporosis. They are the best studied of all agents for the prevention of bone loss and reduction in fractures. They increase BMD, primarily at the lumbar spine, but also at the proximal femur. In patients who have established osteoporosis, bisphosphonates reduce the risk of vertebral fractures, and are the only agents in prospective trials to reduce the risk of hip fractures and other nonvertebral fractures. Bisphosphonates reduce the risk of fracture quickly. The risk of radiographic vertebral deformities is reduced after 1 year of treatment with risedronate [68]. The risk of clinical vertebral fractures is reduced after 1 year of treatment with alendronate [69] and just 6 months' treatment with risedronate [157]. The antifracture effect of risedronate has been shown to continue through 5 years of treatment [158]. Alendronate and risedronate are approved by the FDA for prevention of bone loss in recently menopausal women, for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and for prevention (risedronate) and treatment (alendronate and risedronate) of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Alendronate is also approved for treatment of osteoporosis in men. Other bisphosphonates (etidronate for oral use, pamidronate and zoledronate for intravenous infusion) are also available and can be used off label for patients who cannot tolerate approved agents. Although bisphosphonates combined with estrogen or raloxifene produce greater gains in bone mass compared with single-agent treatment, the use of two antiresorptive agents in combination cannot be recommended because the benefit on fracture risk has not been demonstrated and because of increased cost and side effects.     

Osteoporosis and fragility fractures: Vertebral fractures

The incidence of vertebral fragility fractures and deformity increase steeply with age. Every sixth woman and every twelfth man will sustain a symptomatic vertebral fracture. Vertebral fractures result in pain, functional disability and decreased quality of life, which may last for several years, and may also affect mortality. The patient with an acute fracture should be examined with radiology for diagnosis. In case of a low-energy fracture, osteoporosis should be suspected and investigated. If the pain management fails, vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty could be considered. Braces may be used, but evidence for its effect is lacking. In the rare event of neurological compromise, or unstable fractures, surgical treatment should be considered. After vertebral fragility fractures, the risk for new fractures is high and secondary preventive measures advocated. The best evidence for secondary prevention is currently on medical treatment of osteoporosis.     

The role of zoledronic acid in the management of osteoporosis

Bisphosphonates are the current standard of care for treatment of osteoporosis. However, oral bisphosphonates are associated with complicated dosing regimens because of poor absorption and have the potential for upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract irritation, resulting in poor adherence and persistence. Zoledronic acid (ZOL) 5 mg, a once-yearly intravenous bisphosphonate, is approved for treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, increasing bone mass in men with osteoporosis, and treatment and prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Because it is administered as an infusion, ZOL ensures adherence and persistence over the entire 12-month dosing interval and bypasses the GI absorption/irritation problems associated with oral bisphosphonates. The objective of this study was to review the safety and efficacy of 5 mg ZOL and its potential for improving patient compliance. Published reports dating back to 2001 were reviewed, with emphasis on osteoporosis treatment. In the HORIZON-Pivotal Fracture Trial, annual infusions of 5 mg ZOL produced significant reductions in risk of morphometric vertebral fractures (70%) and hip fractures (41%) vs placebo over 3 years in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In the HORIZON-Recurrent Fracture Trial, an annual infusion of 5 mg ZOL after repair of a recent low-trauma hip fracture was associated with significant reductions in risk for new clinical fractures (35%) vs placebo. In men with osteoporosis, an annual treatment of ZOL over 2 years increased lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) by 6% compared with baseline. In patients starting or continuing treatment with chronic glucocorticoids, ZOL resulted in significantly greater increases in lumbar spine BMD over 1 year than an oral bisphosphonate. In postmenopausal women with osteopenia, a single infusion of ZOL over a 2-year period produced significantly greater gains in lumbar spine and hip BMD than placebo. ZOL is generally safe and well tolerated. Five milligrams of ZOL has the potential to improve compliance with osteoporosis therapy and, consequently, to reduce fracture risk in clinical practice.     

Strontium ranelate reduces the risk of nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: Treatment of Peripheral Osteoporosis (TROPOS) study

BACKGROUND: Strontium ranelate, a new oral drug shown to reduce vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, was studied in the Treatment of Peripheral Osteoporosis (TROPOS) study to assess its efficacy and safety in preventing nonvertebral fractures also. METHODS: Strontium ranelate (2 g/d) or placebo were randomly allocated to 5091 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in a double-blind placebo-controlled 5-yr study with a main statistical analysis over 3 yr of treatment. FINDINGS: In the entire sample, relative risk (RR) was reduced by 16% for all nonvertebral fractures (P = 0.04), and by 19% for major fragility fractures (hip, wrist, pelvis and sacrum, ribs and sternum, clavicle, humerus) (P = 0.031) in strontium ranelate-treated patients in comparison with the placebo group. Among women at high risk of hip fracture (age > or = 74 yr and femoral neck bone mineral density T score < or = -3, corresponding to -2.4 according to NHANES reference) (n = 1977), the RR reduction for hip fracture was 36% (P = 0.046). RR of vertebral fractures was reduced by 39% (P < 0.001) in the 3640 patients with spinal x-rays and by 45% in the subgroup without prevalent vertebral fracture. Strontium ranelate increased bone mineral density throughout the study, reaching at 3 yr (P < 0.001): +8.2% (femoral neck) and +9.8% (total hip). Incidence of adverse events (AEs) was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows that strontium ranelate significantly reduces the risk of all nonvertebral and in a high-risk subgroup, hip fractures over a 3-yr period, and is well tolerated. It confirms that strontium ranelate reduces vertebral fractures. Strontium ranelate offers a safe and effective means of reducing the risk of fracture associated with osteoporosis.     

Assessment of the Relationship Between Age and the Effect of Risedronate Treatment in Women with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Pooled Analysis of Four Studies

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effect of age on the incidence of osteoporosis‐related fractures and of risedronate treatment on fracture risk in different age groups in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. DESIGN: Data from four randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, Phase III studies were pooled and analyzed. PARTICIPANTS: The analysis population (N=3,229) consisted of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis as determined on the basis of prevalent vertebral fractures, low bone mineral density (BMD), or both. INTERVENTION: Patients had received risedronate 5 mg daily or placebo for 1 to 3 years. MEASUREMENTS: The endpoints of interest were the incidence of osteoporosis‐related fractures, clinical fractures, nonvertebral fractures, and morphometric vertebral fractures. The effect of age on fracture risk and treatment benefit was examined using Cox regression models with age and treatment as explanatory variables. The 3‐year fracture risk was estimated for patients in each treatment group at a given age. RESULTS: Irrespective of treatment, fracture risks were greater in older patients (P<.001). On average, for every 1‐year increase in age, a patient's risk for osteoporosis‐related fracture increased 3.6% (95% confidence interval=2.3–5.0%). Irrespective of age, risedronate treatment reduced fracture risk 42%. Risedronate‐treated patients had fracture risks similar to those of placebo‐treated patients 10 to 20 years younger. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with risedronate have a significantly lower fracture risk, similar to that of untreated patients 10 to 20 years younger.     

Osteoporosis. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment in older adults

Osteoporosis is a major cause of disability and excess mortality in older men and women. Hip fracture incidence accelerates approximately 10 years after menopause in women and after age 70 in men. Approximately 1 million Americans suffer fragility fractures each year at a cost of over 14 billion dollars. The disability, mortality, and cost of hip and vertebral fractures are substantial in the rapidly growing, aging population so that prevention of osteoporosis is a major public health concern. BMD is used to make the diagnosis of osteoporosis before incident fracture and predict fracture risk. Recommendations for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis based on BMD score have been published by the World Health Organization and the National Osteoporosis Foundation. In a process that continues throughout life, bone repairs itself by the coupled action of bone resorption followed by bone formation, sometimes referred to as bone turnover. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts are the primary cells involved in bone formation and resorption, respectively. The process of bone turnover is regulated by hormones, such as PIH and local factors such as IL-1 and prostaglandins. Following attainment of peak bone mass at age 25, bone loss begins, accelerates in women at menopause and slows again but continues into advanced years at a rate of 1% to 2% per year, similar to premenopausal bone loss rate. The leading theories of the mechanism of bone loss in older individuals is calcium deficiency leading to secondary hyperparathyroidism and sex hormone deficiency. Risk factors such as age, gender, ethnic background, smoking, exercise, and nutrition, and medical conditions associated with osteoporosis should be evaluated and modified when possible to prevent further bone loss. Osteoporosis treatment and prevention include weight-bearing exercise, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, estrogen replacement, bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor antagonists, and calcitonin. Although there is no currently approved treatment for osteoporosis in men, many of the treatments approved for osteoporosis in women hold promise to be beneficial in men.     

Osteoporosis in elderly: prevention and treatment

Osteoporosis is a major clinical problem in older women and men. Almost any bone can fracture as a result of the increased bone fragility of osteoporosis. These fractures are associated with higher health care costs, physical disability, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. Because the incidence of osteoporotic fracture increases with advancing age, measures to diagnose and prevent osteoporosis and its complications assume a major public health concern. BMD is a valuable tool to identify patients at risk for fracture, to make therapeutic decisions, and to monitor therapy. Several other modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for osteoporosis have also been identified. Treatment of potentially modifiable risk factors along with exercise and calcium and vitamin D supplementation forms an important adjunct to pharmacologic management of osteoporosis. Improved household safety can reduce the risk of falls. Hip protectors have been found to be effective in nursing home population. The pharmacologic options include bisphosphonates, HRT, SERMs and calcitonin. PTH had received FDA advisory committee approval. Alendronate has been approved for treatment of osteoporosis in men, and other treatments for men are under evaluation.