[WHO Technical Report 921]

WHO Technical Report 921 "Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis" was published in 2003. WHO Scientific Group Meeting on Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis was organized in 1998. The members consisted of 21 scientists from all over the world with 2 experts in WHO. Contents of the book included introduction, pathogenesis of osteoporosis and related fractures, epidemiology and risk factors, diagnosis and assessment, prevention and treatment, socioeconomic aspects, delivery of care and education, summary and recommendations. Osteoporosis is a silent epidemic and destroys QOL in overwhelming populations in the world. Risk factors are different from country to country, but nutritional, genetic, life style and other factors are concerned in the pathogenesis of the disease. Appropriate assessment and diagnosis are essential for the evaluation who should be treated. Many kinds of drugs have been developed for the treatment. Many ways for treating patients with fractures have been proposed. However, the establishment of systems of care is needed with aids of both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Finally education of citizens is very important.