The diagnosis of osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis has been defined as a disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to enhanced bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk. The World Health Organization's standard criterion for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and older men is a T-score of ≤-2.5 at the lumbar spine, femur neck, or total hip by bone mineral density measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. To diagnose osteoporosis, quantitative computed tomography, and ultrasound can be used. In this article, we will discuss the methods of diagnosing osteoporosis including imaging techniques and serum turnover markers and the indications of osteoporosis.