Osteoporosis

♦ Osteoporotic fractures affect one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50♦ Previous fragility fracture increases future fracture risk and should prompt further assessment and treatment♦ Clinical risk factors in combination with bone mineral density measurement allow identifying patients at risk♦ Screening for secondary causes of osteoporosis is important, particularly in men and younger women♦ Patients at high risk for future fracture should be offered appropriate treatment. Bisphosphonates together with adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation constitute first-line therapy♦ Compliance with treatment and clinical response need to be monitored.