Essential Osteoporosis Management for the Primary Care Provider

Most individuals will experience deterioration in bone with advancing age, with consequent increases in fragility fractures. In addition, falls become more frequent with age, further increasing fracture risk. It is important to note that osteoporotic fractures impair quality of life and lead to increased dependency to a much greater degree in elderly individuals. Because of menopause-related declines in estrogen, women have greater bone loss and increases in fragility fracture compared to men. Our increased understanding of osteoporosis, its epidemiology, fracture risk, and expanding management options provide excellent opportunities for clinicians to benefit patients and maintain quality of life in aging individuals.