[Prevention and prophylaxis of osteoporosis: options and limitations]

Osteoporosis is considered a systemic disease involving decreased bone mineral content and increased fracture risk. Therefore, for young people, adults and also the elderly, any measures have to taken which could prevent fractures. In this respect, clinically, femoral neck fractures are most important, however, in vertebral fractures a rise in morbidity and mortality can also be demonstrated. Radius fractures occurring in advanced age lead to increasing care being required and loss of independence. From today's point of view, it is tried to divide preventive measurements into primary and secondary steps, depending on whether healthy subjects or patients suffering from chronic diseases are affected. To evaluate the fracture risk, apart from anamnesis, bone density measurement and, in recent times, biomarker are suitable for the assessment of bone turnover. As primary prevention, basic lifestyle measures are recommended, in case of a concomitant relevant basic disease secondary prophylaxis is instituted to contain bone mineral loss. The following survey is to show the importance of prevention and of prophylaxis in osteoporosis both for healthy people and for patients with various accompanying diseases, and to list present possible preventive measures.