Osteoporosis is a
disease of
bones that leads to an increased risk of
fracture.
In osteoporosis the
bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture deteriorates, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered. Osteoporosis is defined by the
World Health Organization as a bone mineral density that is 2.5
standard deviations or more below the mean peak bone mass as measured by
DXA; the term "established osteoporosis" includes the presence of a
fragility fracture.
The disease may be classified as primary type 1, primary type 2, or secondary.
The form of osteoporosis most common in women after
menopause is referred to as primary type 1 or
postmenopausal osteoporosis. Primary type 2 osteoporosis or
senile osteoporosis occurs after age 75 and is seen in both females and males at a ratio of 2:1. Finally, secondary osteoporosis may arise at any age and affect men and women equally. This form of osteoporosis results from chronic predisposing medical problems or disease, or prolonged use of medications such as
glucocorticoids, when the disease is called steroid- or
glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
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