[Risk factors for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Review of the literature 1990-1995].
The steady increase in the prevalence of post-menopausal osteoporosis and the associated rise in mortality make this disease a serious threat to public health. Further research and a consequently greater understanding of the risk factors of this disease should make it possible for preventative strategies to be put into operation. Although the literature relating to these risk factors is particularly abundant, the conclusions are often inconsistent if not contradictory. The present survey aims to review all the data published on the subject over the past five years. When the main classically suspected risk factors are examined separately--age, weight, ethnic factors, family antecedents, physical activity, nutritional factors (e.g. calcium, vitamin D), tobacco smoking, consumption of alcohol or coffee--the results are generally inconclusive and inconsistent from one study to another. Several major multi-risk studies have been attempted to investigate in greater depth the factors associated with fractures, to identify the most important among them and to determine whether their effects are cumulative. Certain authors have examined the predictive value of the detection of these risk factors and the possible use of such signs for the prevention of osteoporosis, since this is the ultimate objective.
Auquier
P
P
Laboratoire de Santé Publique Faculté de Médecine, Marseille.
Manuel
C
C
Molines
C
C
D017677:Age Distribution; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors