title: Osteoporosis in older persons: current pharmacotherapy and future directions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteopororic fractures are highly prevalent in older persons having catastrophic consequences in their quality of life and increasing disability and mortality in this population. The mechanisms of osteoporosis in older persons are unique in terms of cellular changes and response to osteoporosis treatment. Therefore, specifically targeted treatments are required in this particular population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper provides an overview on the particular mechanisms of osteoporosis in older persons and the current and future therapeutic strategies to improve bone mass and prevent fractures in this population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteoporosis in older persons (especially in the old-old) has a unique pathophysiology that predisposes them to fractures thus having catastrophic consequences. Identification of patients at risk followed by therapies targeted to their cellular changes is pivotal to close the care gap observed in osteoporosis, predominantly in the older population. The treatment of osteoporosis has evolved from daily to yearly dosing thus facilitating compliance and effectiveness. It is expected that future biologically targeted treatments will have a similar separate dosing regime with better anti-fracture efficacy and lower incidence of side effects.
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School Nepean, Ageing Bone Research Program , Level 5, South Block, Penrith, NSW, 2750 , Australia +61 2 47344278 ; +61 2 47341817 ; gustavo.duque@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duque
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069448:Denosumab; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D013876:Thiophenes; C081587:strontium ranelate; D000069448:Denosumab