Chapter 49: Osteoporosis, Menopause & Testosterone Use Flashcards
(117 cards)
What is osteoporosis?
A condition that causes bones to become weak and fragile
In which population is osteoporosis most common?
Postmenopausal females
Can vertebral fractures occur without a fall?
Yes, they can occur and can initially be painless
A gradual loss of height may be the only clue.
What type of fractures are considered the most devastating?
Hip fractures
What patient charcteristics are a risk factor for osteoporosis?
- Advanced age
- Ethnicity (Caucasian and asian)
- Family history
- Female sex
- Low bone weight
What medical conditions are a risk factor for osteoporosis?
- Diabetes
- Eating disorders
- GI diseases
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypoginadism in male
- Menopause
- RA, autoimmune disease
What medications are a risk factor for osteoporosis?
- Antiseizures medications
- Aromatase inhibitors
- Depo-medroxyprogestrone
- GnRH agonists
- Lithium
- PPIs
- Steroids
- Thyroid hormones
- Loop diuretics
- SSRIs
What are osteoblasts?
Cells involved in bone formation
What are osteoclasts?
Cells involved in bone resorption; they break down tissue in the bone
How is bone health evaluated?
By measuring bone mineral density (BMD)
What is the gold standard to measure BMD and diagnose osteoporosis?
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) scan
What does a DEXA scan calculate?
A T-score or a Z-score
T-scores compare an individual’s BMD to a healthy young adult, while Z-scores compare to age-matched peers.
Who should have their BMD measured?
All women ≥ 65 years and men ≥ 70 years
Regular BMD assessments are recommended for these age groups to monitor bone health.
What is measured to evaluate bone health?
Bone mineral density (BMD)
BMD is essential for diagnosing conditions like osteoporosis and osteopenia.
What is the significance of T-scores and Z-scores?
They help in diagnosing osteoporosis and osteopenia
T-scores indicate how much BMD deviates from the norm, aiding in risk assessment.
What does the FRAX tool estimate?
The risk of osteoporotic fractures in the next 10 years
What lifestyle measures should patients with low bone density adopt?
- Regular weight-bearing exercise
- Muscle-strengthening exercise
- Stop smoking
- Avoid secondhand smoke
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Adopt fall prevention strategies
What is the importance of calcium intake?
Calcium is critically important throughout life, especially in children, during pregnancy, and around menopause.
What are the recommended calcium intakes for most adults?
1,000-1,200 mg elemental calcium daily.
What can excessive calcium intake contribute to?
- Kidney stones
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
What is the role of Vitamin D in the body?
Vitamin D is required for calcium absorption.
What are the consequences of Vitamin D deficiency in children and adults?
- Children: Rickets
- Adults: Osteomalacia (softening of the bone)
What are the two main forms of calcium supplements?
- Calcium carbonate
- Calcium citrate
What treatment is recommended for Vitamin D deficiency?
- Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol): 1250 mcg (50,000 IU) weekly
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol): 125-175 mcy (5000-7000 IU) daily
for 8-12 weeks.