Diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Osteoporotic bone fractures are a significant public health problem resulting in substantial morbidity and for those who suffer a hip fracture, a significant one-year mortality. Bone densitometry provides an important measure of fracture risk and the newer techniques are useful in the management of individuals with osteoporosis. Estrogen administration will preserve bone mass in postmenopausal women, and the optimal intake of calcium and vitamin D is being evaluated. Newer agents such as calcitonin and bisphosphonates may provide potent therapies for preventing bone loss. This review focuses on bone densitometry as a diagnostic tool and on the use of therapeutic agents for osteoporosis.