Osteoporosis in older men: recent advances in pathophysiology and treatment.
Osteoporosis remains underrecognized and undertreated but more so in men, adding considerably to fracture burden and costs. Fracture-related morbidity and mortality is higher in men, partly due to greater frailty. Improved peak bone mass, geometry and turn-over contribute to lower fracture incidence in men. Bioavailable androgens and oestrogens regulate these aspects of musculoskeletal sexual dimorphism, yet the direct cellular and molecular targets of sex steroids in bone remain incompletely understood. Screening with clinical risk factors and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry are advised in men from age 70 (or 50 with additional risk factors). We now have compelling evidence that osteoporosis drugs are equally effective in men and women, not only to increase bone density but also to prevent osteoporotic fractures. The use of testosterone or selective androgen receptor modulators for osteoporosis, sarcopenia, frailty and falls in men with late-onset hypogonadism requires further investigation.
Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: michael.laurent@med.kuleuven.be.
Michaël
M
Laurent
Evelien
E
Gielen
Frank
F
Claessens
Steven
S
Boonen
Dirk
D
Vanderschueren
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D019379:Teriparatide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000728:Androgens; D004164:Diphosphonates; D019379:Teriparatide; D013739:Testosterone
ageing; androgens; bisphosphonates; bone mineral density; denosumab; dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; hypogonadism; male; oestrogens; osteoporosis; osteoporotic fractures; peak bone mass; strontium ranelate; teriparatide; testosterone