Identification, diagnosis, and prevention of osteoporosis.

Prevention of osteoporotic fractures is of major importance from a public health perspective. Despite the large burden the disease exacts on individuals and society, not all patients with osteoporosis receive optimal treatment. Since only 1 in 3 patients with osteoporosis is diagnosed, clinicians need to improve their ability to identify patients who are candidates for bone mineral density (BMD) screening. Although limited data exist about the direct correlation between effective screening and fracture morbidity and mortality, it has been proved that increases in fractures are associated with increases in morbidity and mortality. Therefore, identifying patients at risk, making a timely diagnosis, implementing prevention measures (ie, calcium, vitamin D, exercise, fall precautions, etc), and initiating pharmacologic therapy for appropriate patients can all help to minimize fracture risk.