Diagnosis of osteoporosis

Prevent the first fracture!

Fractures of the femoral neck occur frequently.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com, krone.at-Grafik)

There are new treatment guidelines for osteoporosis: patients at risk from the age of 50 should definitely have their fracture risk calculated! The aim is to protect patients before the first fracture occurs. If this has already occurred, treatment is more difficult. So intervene early!

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by reduced bone mass and impaired bone microarchitecture. This increases the risk of fractures.

Fracture, almost without cause
"This disease must even be assumed when a fracture occurs under low impact and with only reduced or even normal bone mineral density (BMD). In fact, the majority of all fractures occur with non-osteoporotic BMD," says Priv.-Doz. Dr. Christian Muschitz, Viennese specialist for internal medicine and rheumatology, in the specialist medium "Ärzte Krone".

Risk factors for osteoporosis

• A low body mass index (BMI)
• A fracture caused by minor triggers Hip fracture in parents Smoking (current)
• Oral glucocorticoid therapy (e.g. for rheumatism, autoimmune diseases, allergies, inflammatory diseases - dose-dependent)
• Regular alcohol consumption
• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are associated with an increased risk of hip fractures and other fractures.

The individual fracture risk should therefore be calculated using FRAX for every patient aged 50 and over with clinical risk factors and, if necessary, preventive therapy should be initiated. FRAX stands for Fracture Risk Assessment Tool. It is a widely used algorithm developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess the risk of osteoporosis fractures. FRAX takes various factors into account.

Always keep moving!
Regular physical activity and physical training in childhood and adolescence are essential to achieve optimal development of bone mass and structure over a lifetime. This reduces the risk of osteoporosis in later life.

There are no contraindications for physical activity or training! The training program only needs to be adapted to the limitations (e.g. cardiovascular problems) of the person concerned.