Osteoporosis and Fracture Prevention Flashcards
(80 cards)
What is osteoporosis?
A long-term condition characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural bone deterioration, leading to an increased risk of fracture.
What are the three most common fracture sites in osteoporosis?
The wrist, spine (vertebrae), and hip.
When is osteoporosis commonly diagnosed?
Commonly undiagnosed until after a fall or fracture.
What is the nature of bone remodeling?
Active process, constant remodelling.
Which cells control bone remodeling?
Controlled by osteoblasts and osteocytes.
What is the balance in a normal adult skeleton?
Balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts.
What characterizes an osteoporotic skeleton?
Bone loss occurs because bone resorption (osteoclast activity) is greater than bone formation (osteoblast activity).
What is the peak bone mass age range?
Peak bone mass is between 25 and 35.
What is the normal bone density loss after age 40?
Normal bone density loss is 1% per year after the age of 40 years in both men and women.
How does menopause affect bone density in women?
Menopause accelerates the decline in BMD to 3-4% per year.
Define bone mineral density
Is a measure of the amount of minerals (mainly calcium and phosphates) contained in a certain volume of bone
What is osteoporosis defined as by the WHO?
Osteoporosis is defined as having a BMD of >2.5 standard deviations below the average value for a young adult.
What is the most used imaging technique for diagnosing osteoporosis?
DEXA scan is the most used imaging technique for diagnosing osteoporosis.
What does a DEXA scan measure?
A DEXA scan measures an individual’s BMD by estimating the amount of bone at certain sites.
Which sites are most commonly assessed in a DEXA scan?
The most commonly assessed sites in a DEXA scan are the spine, forearm, and hip.
What is osteopenia?
Osteopenia is defined as a reduction in bone density at the spine or hip between 1.0 and 2.5 standard deviations below the average for healthy young adults (T-score between -1 and -2.5).
How is osteopenia measured?
Osteopenia refers to a quantitative loss of bone mineral density usually measured at the hip or spine with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Are scans always needed to diagnose osteopenia?
Scans aren’t always needed; if an elderly person presents with a fracture from a very low impact injury, it is usually fair to assume that they are osteoporotic and treatment will be initiated if appropriate.
What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?
Gender and age
Body weight
Physical inactivity/sedentary lifestyle
Extraskeletal risk
Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking
Medicines
Secondary causes of osteoporosis
Previous fracture or history of parent hip fracture
What is the role of Calcium in bone health?
Calcium is a major component in bone and is required for bone mineralisation.
What is the role of Vitamin D in bone health?
Vitamin D increases intestinal absorption of calcium and has a role in bone mineralisation.
What is the recommended daily intake of Calcium?
The recommended daily intake of Calcium is 700mg.