The epidemiology of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is defined as ''... a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture.''(1) Compared to normal bone, osteoporotic bone shows a reduction in the number of trabeculae, thinning of the trabeculae, and loss of connectivity of the trabeculae. The overall result is deterioration of bone strength and an increase in the susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporosis is essentially a ''silent'' disease until a fracture occurs. When multiple fractures occur, they can cause significant deformity of the spine, leading to kyphosis, loss of vertebral height, and subsequent loss of overall height. The patient with osteoporosis experiences chronic pain and back fatigue. Ln addition, gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms may occur as a consequence oi the changes in the skeletal shape.