Osteoporosis- Silence Is Not Golden

Osteoporosis is a disorder of decreased bone strength, increasing fracture risk due to low bone mineral density (BMD) or impaired bone microarchitecture. Initially silent (asymptomatic), it often goes undiagnosed and untreated. The overt expression is a low trauma fracture of the spine, hip, proximal humerus, forearm, wrist, or pelvis. Osteoporosis is the most common skeletal disease worldwide. The progression from typical bone mineral to osteopenia to osteoporosis and fracture is associated with patients becoming disabled, losing independence, becoming bedridden, and having premature death. This presentation will review pathophysiology, etiology, diagnostics, prevention, and treatment options. Participants will recognize risk factors, be able to refer for imaging and laboratory testing, formulate a patient-specific management plan, and analyze follow up tests.

Participants will be able to:

• Define and identify the many risk factors for osteoporosis.
• Describe the standard progression of skeletal losses from healthy to osteoporosis, the silent to overt stages of the disease.
• Choose the proper imaging and laboratory tests to assess patient risk and/or progress.
• Devise personalized multifactorial prevention/treatment strategies.
• Evaluate prevention/treatment strategy success or failure.

Course PACE ID: 021623