These costs represent a higher burden compared to other disease states, such as breast cancer, stroke, diabetes, or chronic lung disease. Although there are cost effective and well-tolerated treatments, 23% of the diagnosed are women over 67 have received either bone mineral density (BMD) tests or prescription for treatment after fracture. The clinical and economic burdens indicate there should be more effort in assessment of risk, prevention, and early intervention when it comes to osteoporosis. Presentation
Complications
Because senile osteoporosis is caused by the loss of bone mass due to aging, the bones are more fragile and thus more prone to fractures and fracture-related complications. These complications can include a more than doubled risk increase for future fractures and a lower quality of life resulting from chronic pain or disability, sometimes needing long-term nursing care. Depending on the site, pathologic fractures can also increase relative mortality risk. Hip fractures alone are particularly debilitating and have a nearly 20% higher mortality rate within one year of the fracture. Other fractures are more subtle and can go undetected for some time. For example, vertebral compression fractures in the spine, often noticeable by a loss of vertical height, can occur even during routine motions like twisting, coughing, and reaching.In addition to decreased bone mineral density, there are other factors that contribute to fracture risk such as advanced age, lower body mass index, fracture history, smoking, steroid use, high alcohol intake, and fall history. Studies linking alcohol and fracture risk define high intake as three or more drinks per day.
These medications can contribute to bone loss and can increase risk for osteoporotic fractures. Genetic
Maternal body build, lifestyle, and vitamin D status are some of the genetic and epigenetic effects that have been found to affect the BMD, specifically the developmental plasticity.Additionally, other studies have found that race (e.g. Black women have the lowest risk), age (i.e. older age), body mass (i.e. lower weight), and gender (female) play a role in contributing to the risk of osteoporosis. Although the incidence of developing osteoporosis and hip fractures vary between population groups, older age is consistently associated with a higher incidence of fractures due to osteoporosis. Social and nutritional factors
There are several environmental and social factors that can contribute to the risk of developing osteoporosis. Smoking tobacco can increase the risk by decreasing the ability of the intestine to absorb calcium. Caffeine intake and heavy alcohol were also correlated with the decrease in bone density in the elderly population.Without proper intake of vitamin D and calcium, it can increase the risk of osteoporosis in the elderly. These vitamin deficiencies pose as a risk factor, as it can decrease bone mass, decrease calcium absorption, and increase in bone turnover. There are also various medications can that interfere with the absorption of calcium, such as anticonvulsants, diuretics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive medications, some antibiotics, and NSAIDS.