Bone Mass, Bone Loss, and Osteoporosis Prophylaxis
Authors: Robert P. Heaney
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1998)

Editorials15 February 1998Bone Mass, Bone Loss, and Osteoporosis ProphylaxisRobert P. Heaney, MDRobert P. Heaney, MDCreighton University; Omaha, NE 68178.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-128-4-199802150-00014 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Throughout most of the 20th century, reduced bone mass was central to the definition of osteoporosis. Indeed, the very etymology of the word osteoporosis connotes a reduction in bone mass. At the 1990 Consensus Conference on Osteoporosis, however, the disorder was redefined as a condition of “skeletal fragility due to decreased bone mass and to microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in risk of fracture” [1]. Reduced bone mass was thereby relegated to the status of a risk factor for fragility.This redefinition was a conceptually important shift, inasmuch as it placed the emphasis squarely on fragility ...References1. Consensus development conference: prophylaxis and treatment of osteoporosis. Am J Med. 1991; 90:107-10. Google Scholar2. Robinovitch SN, Hayes WC, McMahon TA. Prediction of femoral impact forces in falls on the hip. J Biomech Eng. 1991; 113:366-74. Google Scholar3. Hui SL, Slemenda CW, Johnston CC Jr. Age and bone mass as predictors of fracture in a prospective study. J Clin Invest. 1988; 81:1804-9. Google Scholar4. Greenspan SL, Myers ER, Maitland LA, Resnick NM, Hayes WC. Fall severity and bone mineral density as risk factors for hip fracture in ambulatory elderly. JAMA. 1994; 271:128-33. Google Scholar5. Lauritzen JB, Petersen MM, Lund B. Effect of external hip protectors on hip fractures. Lancet. 1993; 341:11-3. Google Scholar6. McClung M, Clemmesen B, Daifotis A, Gilchrist NL, Eisman J, Weinstein RS, et al. Alendronate prevents postmenopausal bone loss in women without osteoporosis. A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 1998; 128:253-261. Google Scholar7. Heaney RP, Yates AJ, Santora AC 2d. Bisphosphonate effects and the bone remodeling transient. J Bone Miner Res. 1997; 12:1143-51. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Creighton University; Omaha, NE 68178.Corresponding Author: Robert P. Heaney, MD, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoAlendronate Prevents Postmenopausal Bone Loss in Women without Osteoporosis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial Michael McClung , Bjorg Clemmesen , Anastasia Daifotis , Nigel L. Gilchrist , John Eisman , Robert S. Weinstein , Ghada El Hajj Fuleihan , Celia Reda , A. John Yates , and Pernille Ravn Metrics Cited byOptimizing Screening for Osteoporosis in Patients With Fragility Hip FractureScreening for Osteoporosis: An Update for the U.S. Preventive Services Task ForceHeidi D. Nelson, MD, MPH, Elizabeth M. Haney, MD, Tracy Dana, MLS, Christina Bougatsos, BS, and Roger Chou, MDMétodos de determinación de la densidad mineral óseaIN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORDIn the Beginning was the WordScreening for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Review of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task ForceHeidi D. Nelson, MD, MPH, Mark Helfand, MD, MPH, Steven H. Woolf, MD, MPH, and Janet D. Allan, PhD, RNSelecting Appropriate Pharmacotherapy for Patients with Osteoporosis: Holistic Risk—Benefit AnalysisMineral MetabolismThe clinical role of quantitative ultrasound in assessing fracture risk and bone statusDisorders/diseases of nature and nurture: How can public health be best advanced?The Necessity of a Managed Care Approach for OsteoporosisLa menopausia en la medicina general/de familia 15 February 1998Volume 128, Issue 4Page: 313-314KeywordsBoneBone remodelingBone resorptionCalciumEstrogensFallsOsteoclastsOsteoporosisProphylaxisVitamin D Issue Published: 15 February 1998 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1998 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...