Good hope for making osteoporosis a disease of the past.

Abstract

There is currently very strong cross-sectional and prospective epidemiological data showing that low bone mass is a major risk factor for osteoporotic fractures. The prevention of bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency, calcium and vitamin D deficiency or other causes could therefore significantly reduce the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. Increased understanding of the pathophysiology of the bone loss that commonly occurs after the fourth decade in life, and the ability to control it by hormone replacement therapy or pharmacological means, offer good hope for making osteoporosis, as we known it today, a disease of the past.