Osteoporosis: identifying high-risk persons

Osteoporosis is the most common systemic bone disorder causing thousands of injuries and deaths each year. The pathogenesis of osteoporosis is a complex puzzle that contains many interlocking pieces involving both genetic and environmental factors. The prevention of age-related bone loss, which could be gained through health teaching by the nurse, should be optimized. Nurses and other caregivers can make significant contributions toward the initial identification of those persons at risk or who may already have the debilitating disease by using the Osteoporosis Risk Questionnaire.