title: Current approaches to the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
abstract: Current approaches to the prevention, detection, treatment, and monitoring of postmenopausal osteoporosis are discussed. In the United States, 44 million men and women ages 50 years or older have low bone mass or osteoporosis. The most devastating consequence of this disease is fractures. The assessment of osteoporosis risk includes determining risk factors, conducting laboratory and physical examinations, and measuring bone density and bone-turnover markers. Once risk has been established, nonpharmacologic strategies, such as exercise, appropriate dietary habits, and discontinuing tobacco and alcohol use, are helpful. Fall prevention and adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D are critical. When pharmacologic therapy is warranted, bisphosphonates have shown the greatest benefit in preventing bone loss and lowering fracture rates. Selective estrogen-receptor modulators and calcitonin are also options for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis. Estrogen should not be used for the sole purpose of osteoporosis prevention; however, short-term use is acceptable for women with vasomotor symptoms or in whom the benefits outweigh the risks. Parathyroid hormone may offer another treatment alternative. A variety of pharmacologic options are available for patients with osteoporosis in whom lifestyle modifications have proven insufficient. Bisphosphonates are the mainstay of drug therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. Ninth Avenue, Box C238, Denver, CO 80262, USA. sheryl.follin@uchsc.edu
authors.forename: Sheryl L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Follin
authors.forename: Laura B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; D002116:Calcitonin