This is an inherited bone disease caused by a defect in bone re-absorption. In this disease, osteoclasts do not perform normally. This flaw in bone re-absorption makes the bones dense and easily broken. Both men and women are affected equally by this disease. In conclusion, the population of older men and women has been increasing, therefore the number of people with osteoporosis is also increasing.
Osteoporosis is a major public health concern.
In the United States today 10 million people have the disease and 18 million more have low bone mass placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the term used to describe diseases of diverse etiology that cause a reduction in bone mass. This porous bone disease is characterized by low bone mass with a structural deterioration of bone. This deterioration leads to bone that is fragile and susceptible to fractures. Osteoporosis has always been considered a women's disease, but the prevalence in men increases with advancing age.