Osteoporosis

Osteoporotic fractures are common and result in extensive morbidity and mortality. It is possible to decrease the risk of fracture in postmenopausal, male, and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis with appropriate screening and treatment. The assessment of fracture risk, for which bone densitometry is only 1 component, should be the main focus of patient evaluation. Epidemiologically derived risk-assessment tools such as World Health Organization Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) provide physicians with a way to determine the 10-year risk of osteoporotic fracture and effectively choose candidates for therapy. A number of potent skeletal antiresorptive and anabolic drugs have become available to treat osteoporosis and prevent up to 70% of fractures. Here, we provide a detailed update on clinical osteoporosis, the contribution of bone densitometry, and the approach to patients using risk assessment in the consideration of treatments. Progress in osteoporosis is an example of successful bench-to-bedside research benefitting populations worldwide.