Impact and pathogenesis of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a major health problem. It is a skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass and increased susceptibility to fractures. In the United States, osteoporosis accounts for 1.5 million fractures annually. Forty percent of Caucasian women will experience an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime. The consequences of osteoporosis include decreased functional independence and increased morbidity and mortality. Osteoporosis is a multi-factorial disease. It can result pathogenetically from inadequate peak bone mass, excessive bone resorption or impaired bone formation, and be influenced by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. The relative importance of these factors may differ among patients and is not fully understood. Nevertheless, improved understanding of specific pathogenetic mechanisms is critical in developing an optimal approach to diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of this devastating disease.