Osteoporosis is an osteometabolic disease affecting mainly postmenopausal women. According to the World Health Organization, 1/3 of older than 65 white women are affected by osteoporosis. Notwithstanding, the estimates say that 60-year old white males have a 25% chance of osteoporotic fractures. Diagnosis and the therapeutic design are based on bone densitometry and laboratory determinations of formation and bone reabsorption markers. Densitometry is the best fracture predictor. Currently available drugs act inhibiting bone reabsorption. The main form of treatment of osteoporosis is prevention: smoking must be avoided; alcohol and coffee drinking must be moderate; physical activity and adequate calcium intake are fundamental; proprioceptive training can prevent falls and, consequently, fractures.
Osteoporosis