Osteoporosis: advances in risk assessment and management

Abstract

In the past three decades, there have been major advances in our understanding of bone biology and these have been ­accompanied by a significant improvement in the management of osteoporosis. Fracture risk prediction algorithms using ­clinical risk factors, with or without measurement of bone mineral density, have enabled more accurate targeting of treatment and a range of cost-effective pharmacological interventions is available to reduce fracture risk. Despite these advances, a number of challenges remain. In particular, treatment rates in high-risk individuals are low and adherence to treatment is poor. Addressing this treatment gap through measures such as fracture liaison services, which provide a coordinated and cost-effective strategy for secondary fracture prevention, is an important future priority.