Osteoporosis
Introduction
- Peak bone mass is influenced by several factors such as genetics, environment, physical activity, and nutrition
- Post-adulthood (over the age of 25-30), our bone mass starts to decreases by 0.7% each year, on average
- Osteopenia is an abnormal decrease in bone mass
- Osteoporosis (literally, the formation of pores in the bone) a severe decrease in bone mass
Clinically, mineral bone mass is determined using a DXA scan. The generated results are reported as T-score and Z-score.
- T-score is the number of SD the bone mass of the patient differs from that of a young, healthy patient.
- T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 suggests osteopenia
- T-score below -2.5 suggests osteoporosis
- Z-score is the number of SD the bone mass of the patient differs from that of a healthy patient of the same age and sex.
Description
Osteoporosis is a progressive disease of bones in which bone mass decreases. The bones become fragile and fracture easily (these fractures are known as fragility fractures).
- The most common fracture sites are the distal radius, spine (compression fractures), and femoral neck.
- More common in older women.
- Etiology
- Primary (most common)
- Aging (senile osteoporosis). Occurs due to the reduced proliferation and activity of osteoblasts, low-turnover
- Primary (most common)