The management of the patient with osteoporosis: from evidence to clinical practice

Abstract

About 200 million people worldwide are affected by osteoporosis 11 with a higher prevalence in women than men; the prevalence of osteoporosis increases progressively with age in post-menopausal period (5% in the fifth decade versus 50% in the eighth decade). 12According to the WHO, 13 osteoporosis affects more ABSTRACTOsteoporosis is the most common bone disease and is an important problem of public health. In fact, it represents the main cause of age-related fractures and disabilities with a consequent increasing sanitary, social and economic impact. Unfortunately, often osteoporosis is not as thoroughly investigated as it would be desirable and it is underestimated in diagnosis and therapy. The aim of this monograph is to sensitize medical internists to a careful evaluation and an efficacious treatment of osteoporosis in order to reduce the risks of this disease, in particular the fractures, with a view to improving the quality of patients' life.