Posted: March 2nd, 2022

Osteoporosis in the aging population essay.

Osteoporosis in the aging population essay.
Osteoporosis in the aging population essay.

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that is becoming more apparent with the aging population. Approximately 44 million individuals in the US have osteoporosis (Mackey & Whitaker, 2015). Osteoporosis is typically not diagnosed until the first fracture has occurred because it is typically asymptomatic. Fragility fractures are a major complication of osteoporosis and can lead to morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Hip fractures for example are higher in Caucasians and females compared to black, Asian, Hispanic populations (Mackey & Whitaker, 2015). The most common fractures due to osteoporosis include distal forearm, hip, and spine. Those who have had a fracture related to osteoporosis are at risk for a secondary fracture.

Osteoporosis treatment

Most postmenopausal osteoporosis medications reduce hip and vertebral fractures.

A low-cost oral bisphosphonate option is alendronate for about $60 a year.

Reclast (zoledroic acid) is a once yearly IV infusion costing$270 per year not including infusion costs for those who cannot take oral bisphosphonate. Ibandronate only reduced vertebral fractures.

For those individuals who want a drug holiday from bisphosphate medications should have a DXA scan every 2 after stopping medications and after taking oral medications for five years or 3 years for IV in low-risk patients. For high-risk patients wait 8-10 years before taking a drug holiday.

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