[Osteoporosis: its diagnosis, its consequences]

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by an increased risk of fractures, especially hip, wrist and vertebral fractures. Osteoporosis occurs more commonly in women because of a bone loss after menopause. Post menopausal bone loss is prevented by estrogen replacement therapy. An adequate calcium intake remains important. Sodium fluoride and biphosphonates are the main other treatments of osteoporosis.