Osteoporosis Fact Sheet

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced, leading to weakness of the

skeleton and increased risk of fracture, particularly of the spine, wrist and hip. Osteoporosis and associated

fractures are an important cause of mortality and morbidity.

Osteoporosis is a global problem which is increasing in significance as the population of the world both grows and ages. Worldwide, lifetime risk for osteoporotic fractures in women is 30-50%. In men risk is 15-30%.Three main types of osteoporosis fractures are wrist fracture, vertebral fracture and hip fracture.

Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. In many cases, the first "symptom" is a broken bone. Patients with osteoporosis may not know that they have the disease until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump, or fall causes a hip fracture or a vertebra to collapse. Collapsed vertebra may initially be felt or seen in the form of severe back pain, loss of height, or spinal deformities such as kyphosis, or severely stooped posture.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced, leading to weakness of the

skeleton and increased risk of fracture, particularly of the spine, wrist and hip. Osteoporosis and associated

fractures are an important cause of mortality and morbidity.

Osteoporosis is a global problem which is increasing in significance as the population of the world both grows and ages. Worldwide, lifetime risk for osteoporotic fractures in women is 30-50%. In men risk is 15-30%.Three main types of osteoporosis fractures are wrist fracture, vertebral fracture and hip fracture.

Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. In many cases, the first "symptom" is a broken bone. Patients with osteoporosis may not know that they have the disease until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump, or fall causes a hip fracture or a vertebra to collapse. Collapsed vertebra may initially be felt or seen in the form of severe back pain, loss of height, or spinal deformities such as kyphosis, or severely stooped posture.