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Chapter 28 - Osteoporosis

from Section 6 - Common medical problems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 December 2009

By
Jo Ann Rosenfeld
Edited by
Jo Ann Rosenfeld
Jo Ann Rosenfeld
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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Summary

This chapter discusses the definition, epidemiology, risk factors, primary and secondary prevention, treatment and evaluation of osteoporosis (OP). OP is common and its incidence increases with age. The prevalence of OP in women age 50 to 54 in the UK is between 2 and 3.5%. After menopause, a woman's rate of bone turnover and loss of bone mass increases precipitously. Smoking cigarettes, high caffeine intake, and excessive alcohol use increase the risk of osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women is protective against the development of OP, helps reverse the bone loss, treats osteoporosis and prevents fractures. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is the most precise and common test used to detect bone density. Treatment of OP includes lifestyle changes and pharmacological therapy. Normal postmenopausal bone loss is 2% per year. A woman with OP should be started on lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy.
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Handbook of Women's Health , pp. 319 - 324
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2009

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  • Osteoporosis
  • Edited by Jo Ann Rosenfeld, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • Book: Handbook of Women's Health
  • Online publication: 26 December 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511642111.028
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  • Osteoporosis
  • Edited by Jo Ann Rosenfeld, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • Book: Handbook of Women's Health
  • Online publication: 26 December 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511642111.028
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Osteoporosis
  • Edited by Jo Ann Rosenfeld, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • Book: Handbook of Women's Health
  • Online publication: 26 December 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511642111.028
Available formats
×