Management of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, a reduction in bone mass density, is the most common skeletal disorder of the elderly. This crippling disease causes greater than 1.5 million fractures each year, with annual costs to the U.S. health care system of approximately $14 billion. Osteoporotic fractures cause pain, disability, and, in some cases, death. Although osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable condition, many postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are unaware of their fragile skeletal condition until fractures occur. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is possible by measuring bone density and by targeting those at greatest risk of developing osteoporotic fractures. Treatment with calcium, estrogen, raloxifene, calcitonin, or alendronate stabilizes bone density in the elderly and reduces the risk of fractures. This article reviews the current strategies for evaluation, diagnosis, and management of osteoporosis.