One of every two women over the age of 50 and one of five men over age 50 will develop an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Each year, there are 1.5 million osteoporotic fractures of the hip, spine and wrist. The first manifestation of osteoporosis is usually a fracture. The only simple technique for detection of increased risk of bone fracture secondary to osteoporosis is through bone densitometry studies. Since a variety of conditions other than menopause may also result in osteoporosis, bone densitometry would be expected to establish the diagnosis of osteoporosis in many more people than only those with menopause.
Osteoporosis is one of the three common silent killers that have plagued modern civilization.
The first, hypertension, almost always remains without symptoms until a stroke, heart attack or renal failure occurs. A simple blood pressure cuff measurement can detect the disease and lead to effective therapies that can prevent the adverse outcomes. The second, elevated LDL cholesterol, silently clogs arteries starting in young adulthood. This process may eventually choke off the vital supply of blood to organs throughout the body leading to heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, strokes, and renal failure. A simple blood test for the bad LDL cholesterol and the good HDL cholesterol can determine to a great extent who is at risk and who can benefit from preventive therapy.