The contemporary look at the problem of recognizing and diagnosing postmenopausal osteoporosis and eliminating the risk of a fall

Abstract

Osteoporosis constitutes a relevant health, social and economic problem of the contemporary world. As a chronic disease, often nicknamed the “silent thief”, it is an object of the clinical research and a reason for many ambiguities. The most noticeable and basic symptom of osteoporosis is a low-energy fracture, which brings pain, physical disability, and a noticeable decrease in one's quality of life. Osteoporosis affects the entire population; however, women in the postmenopausal period and the elderly are mostly exposed to its progress. The risk of falling ill concerning women simply grows with the age and doubles with every decade after the age of 65. It is estimated that osteoporosis affects 200 million women worldwide, and about 20-25% of them will sustain an injury in the form of a bone fracture. In Poland, the problem of osteoporosis concerns 2.4 million women. The article attempts to show current views on examining and diagnosing postmenopausal osteoporosis and prevention of the fall risk. The BMD (bone mineral density) is considered the basis of osteoporosis diagnosis in postmenopausal women as well as an absolute 10-year risk of fractures and experienced osteoporotic fractures. All people at an increased fall risk should be provided with the multifactorial programme of fall prevention.

Knowledge about osteoporosis prevention among women screened by bone densitometry

“…The menopause is one of determining risk factors for osteoporosis, followed by processes of the bone resorption. Its consequences reduce bone mass and increase the risk of fractures [ 16 ]. A hormone replacement therapy taken on can mitigate the risk of osteoporosis [ 25 ].…”

“…The adherence to the principles of the prevention since youth is building foundations of the strong skeleton which slows down the pace of the bone mass loss in the senile period [16]. …”

“…Summing up, in order to effectively prevent osteoporosis one should systematically implement principles of prevention since the youngest years. The adherence to the principles of the prevention since youth is building foundations of the strong skeleton which slows down the pace of the bone mass loss in the senile period [ 16 ].…”

Effect of isopsoralen on Smad7 in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

“…The primary pathologic change caused by PM-OP is bone collagen loss as a result of estrogen depletion, which subsequently stimulates imbalanced bone remodeling (2). Osteoblasts synthesize type I collagen, which composes the primary organic matrix of bone (3).…”

“…Postmenopausal women are prone to develop postmenopausal osteoporosis (PM-OP), which is caused by estrogen deficiency after menopause ( 1 ). The primary pathologic change caused by PM-OP is bone collagen loss as a result of estrogen depletion, which subsequently stimulates imbalanced bone remodeling ( 2 ). Osteoblasts synthesize type I collagen, which composes the primary organic matrix of bone ( 3 ).…”