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[Osteoporosis: a new social disease?]
Minerva Endocrinologica
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Osteoporosis causes over 1.2 million fractures annually in the U.S., particularly in postmenopausal women, leading to reduced life expectancy and significant social costs. Hip fractures alone decrease life expectancy by 12-20%.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Osteoporosis poses a significant public health challenge, with millions of fractures occurring annually.
- Hip fractures associated with osteoporosis lead to substantial reductions in life expectancy and high societal costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize key epidemiological findings on osteoporosis.
- To highlight the incidence, impact, and economic burden of osteoporosis-related fractures.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies on osteoporosis.
- Utilization of sophisticated techniques like dual-photon absorptiometry for bone density assessment.
Main Results:
- Over 1.2 million osteoporosis fractures occur yearly in the U.S., primarily affecting trabecular bone in postmenopausal women.
- Hip fractures reduce life expectancy by 12-20% and incur significant social costs, estimated in Italy at 80-153 billion liras in 1983.
- Normal bone density decreases by 0.38%/year in females and 0.22%/year in males, with a fracture threshold at 0.67 gHA/cm2.
- 15% of patients over 65 exhibit at least one vertebral fracture.
Conclusions:
- Osteoporosis is a widespread condition with severe health and economic consequences.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial to mitigate the impact of osteoporosis-related fractures.