Osteoporosis

Importance: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, increased bone fragility, and increased susceptibility to fracture, which is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic costs. Worldwide, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men older than 50 years of age experience osteoporotic fractures in their lifetime. Observations: Risk factors for osteoporosis include older age, female sex, prior fractures, prior falls, low body weight, history of hip fracture in a parent, glucocorticoid use, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption, certain comorbidities (eg, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic liver and kidney disease), and low level of bone mineral density (BMD;…