What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass that results in a reduction in the strength of the skeleton.

The Scope of the Problem

      • Osteoporosis affects as many as 44 million Americans
      • 80% of those affected are women
      • One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her/his remaining lifetime
      • While osteoporosis is often thought of as an older person’s disease, it can strike at any age

Consequences of Osteoporosis

      • Increased risk of fracture of the hip, spine, and wrist
      • Morbidity and mortality from fracture
      • – Over 300,000 hip fractures/year
      • – A 50-year-old white woman has a 15% lifetime probability of suffering a hip fracture
      • Healthcare costs
        – 2002: $18 billion

Fractures of the Hip and Spine

Reference:

National Osteoporosis Foundation

Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis

  • What is affected?
  • Whom does it affect?
  • Why does it happen?

Osteoporosis

  • Bones, which become more fragile and more likely to break
  • 4 of 5 people suffering from osteoporosis are women occurs most commonly after the age of 45
  • Loss of bone mass, related to certain risk factors

Osteoarthritis

  • Joints, especially weight-bearing joints (knees, feet, hips, and back)
  • Men and women equally; usually occurs after age 45
  • Join structure weaken and wear down

Who is at Risk? Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

    • Age
    • Gender
    • Race
    • Bone structure and body weight
    • Menopause and menstrual history
    • Lifestyle
    • Medications and disease
    • Family history