title: Osteoporosis and its complications.
abstract: This article provides an overview of the current burden of osteoporosis and its complications in today's health care system. The impact of osteoporosis on patients' quality of life and direct financial consequences to the entire health care system are emphasized to highlight the need for increased knowledge and awareness of its complications if left untreated or treated incorrectly. Special attention is given to hip fracture and vertebral compression fracture, stressing the importance of diagnosing osteoporosis before fragility fractures occur. Models for improved care of fragility fractures during follow-up in the outpatient setting and the use of pharmacologic agents are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Penn State Hershey Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, 30 Hope Drive, Building A, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. Electronic address: Matt.varacallo@tenethealth.com.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Varacallo
authors.affiliation: Penn State Hershey Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, 30 Hope Drive, Building A, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Ed J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D004967:Estrogens; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Bisphosphonates; Fragility fractures; Hip fractures; Osteoporosis; Vertebral compression fractures