title: [Diagnosis of osteoporosis].
abstract: Osteoporosis is the main cause of bone fragility. The diagnosis is suspected in the presence of low-energy traumatic fracture and/or low bone mineral density. Vertebral fractures may be asymptomatic, and they are under-diagnosed. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is the gold standard of bone density measurement, at the lumbar spine, and hip. Providing quality control of the device and assessments, the measurements are accurate and precise; BMD is the basis of osteoporosis diagnostic and risk fracture evaluation. Osteoporosis may be related to malignant and metabolic diseases, which must be checked before any treatment.
authors.affiliation: Service de rhumatologie, hôpital Cochin, 75014 Paris. christian.roux@cch.ap-hop-paris.fr
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roux
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Breuil
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Orcel
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fardellone
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors