title: What is osteoporosis?
abstract: Osteoporosis is a very common disorder, which results in an increase in fracture risk. The annual cost attributable to hip, vertebral, and wrist fractures in England and Wales is pound 1.7 billion. Significant mortality and morbidity are associated with osteoporotic fractures. The method that is most widely used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis is dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The aim of prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is to prevent the occurrence of future fractures. Lifestyle changes should be encouraged in high risk patients. Pharmacological treatments include the bisphosphonates, hormone replacement therapy, selective oestrogen receptor modulators, calcitonin, the 1-34 fragment of parathyroid hormone, calcium and vitamin D supplements, and calcitriol.
authors.affiliation: MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christodoulou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000172:deficiency; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium