Osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a serious public health issue. The past 10 years have seen great advances in our understanding of its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment, and further advances are rapidly being made. Clinical assessment will probably evolve from decisions mainly being made on the basis of bone densitometry, to use of algorithms of absolute fracture risk. Biochemical markers of bone turnover are also likely to become more widely used. Bisphosphonates will probably remain the mainstay of therapy, but improved understanding of the optimum amount of remodelling suppression and duration of therapy will be important. At the same time, other diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including biological agents, are likely to become more widespread.
Sambrook
Philip
P
Institute of Bone and Joint Research, University of Sydney, Sydney 2065, NSW, Australia. sambrook@med.usyd.edu.au
Cooper
Cyrus
C
D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000502:physiology
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium