Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women

Osteoporosis is a disease with a significant disease burden worldwide, affecting more than 75 million people in the US, Europe and Japan. With an ageing population the incidence of osteoporosis is growing. Osteoporotic fractures have significant individual morbidity but also strain Healthcare services. There is no screening service for osteoporotic fractures in the UK and physicians must actively identify patients who are at risk of osteoporotic fractures as well as managing appropriately patients who have sustained osteoporotic fractures. Diagnosis of osteoporosis is done with Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scans to measure Bone Mineral Density (BMD). The World Health Organisation Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) score is used to identify patients who are at risk of fractures. Pharmacological treatment is recommended for those who obtain a risk score sufficient enough to warrant treatment. The treatment of osteoporosis includes calcium and vitamin D replacement, bisphosphonates, denosumab, teriparatide and hormone replacement therapy in women. Potential therapies that are currently undergoing clinical trials include Abaloparatide and Romosozumab.