Osteoporosis in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease affecting numerous people all over the world, causing fragility fractures, especially among the elderly. In order to reach a complete diagnosis, it is necessary to perform Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) to evaluate Bone Mineral Density (BMD), an X-Ray of the dorsal and lumbar spine to investigate the presence of asymptomatic vertebral fractures, laboratory tests to exclude secondary forms of osteoporosis, and an accurate medical history, since several risk factors may be involved. The general management of this pathology includes prevention of further falls as well as the administration of calcium, vitamin D and protein supplements. Many drugs that permit a customised strategy – fundamental to improving treatment-adherence rates, frequently low in elderly patients – are available for the pharmacological treatment of the pathology.