Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and consequent fragility fractures represent a significant burden of disease worldwide, and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. With a growing elderly population this is expected to rise with substantial implications in terms of healthcare resources. Diagnosis of osteoporosis is conventionally based upon a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) as measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning. However BMD alone does not entirely predict risk of fragility fracture and a number of factors interact to determine an individuals’ risk of fracture, some of which are independent of BMD. Focus has therefore shifted to assessing an individuals’ lifetime risk of fracture and tailoring therapy accordingly.