Aproximately 1 in 10 American women currently 35 years of age will have a hip fracture later in life. Osteoporosis is responsible for about 1.5 million fractures per year. Costs, including loss of productivity, and hospital and nursing care have been estimated to be as high as 10 billion dollars per year and may reach 60 billion dollars per year by 2020. Caucasian and Asian women have the greatest risk of developing osteoporosis. In addition to age, gender, and race, other important risk factors for osteoporosis are hormonal, genetic and lifestyle influences.
Genetic factors are significant because they effect the development of peak bone density.
Women with a positive family history of osteoporosis or fractures, or with small stature are more likely to develop the disease. A number of diseases and medications are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis Recent advances have been made in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Even if started at age 60, ERT increases BMD and reduces fracture risk, however, ERT initiated at the time of menopause and continued into later life results in the greatest increase in bone density. Experts in the field conclude that the estrogen regiments that have been shown to protect against osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease are not associated with any clear increase in breast cancer.