Osteoporotic Fractures: General Information
Experts estimated that osteoporosis affects 75 million people currently in Europe, USA and Japan. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures. Although there are several forms of osteoporosis, most cases are those of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Bone loss is often installed without symptoms and progressive. Usually no symptoms until the first fracture occurrence. Women considering that osteoporosis is one of the consequences of menopause. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 years, will experience osteoporotic fractures at a time. It is estimated that in 2000 there have been nine million osteoporotic fracture and a previous fracture increases the risk of other fractures by 86%.
Osteoporotic fractures occur frequently in the wrist, hip and spine, vertebral fractures occur after menopause, representing the highest risk of death and that because of complications arising. Vertebral fractures cause intense pain and can sometimes lead to progressive loss of mobility and inability to perform daily activities. May lead to decrease in height and appearance of "humpback elder".
Fractures caused by osteoporosis in women over 45 years are responsible for more hospital days than most other diseases, including breast cancer or myocardial infarction. Risk factors for osteoporosis are modifiable and fixed. Of those that can not be changed are age, female sex, family history, previous fractures, race or ethnicity, menopause or hysterectomy, long-term treatment with corticosteroids, rheumatoid arthritis, primary or secondary hypogonadism in men.
Modifiable risk factors are: heavy drinking, smoking, low body mass index, poor nutrition, vitamin D, eating disorders, sedentary lifestyle, low calcium intake, frequent falls.
Importance of early diagnosis of over 50 years shows a higher risk of osteoporosis than young people. There are also cases of osteopenia (low bone mass) or osteoporosis at younger ages. Since osteoporosis symptoms are not obvious (except fractures that occurs when bone is already significantly impaired), carrying out medical advice is very important, especially if there are risk factors.
The doctor will perform a thorough history investigation that includes information on any recent fractures and may decide the next step, will be a test for assessment of bone mineral density (BMD). There are several types of tests to assess BMD, but more specifically is DXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry). DXA uses low energy X-ray capable of detecting even small percentages of loss of bone mass. Measurements are made at the spine and hip.