Osteoporosis risk factors and bone microstructure evaluation: a population breakdown

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a silent disease, characterized by a decreasing bone strength, which leads to a progressive increase in fracture risk. As mean average human lifespan is growing, a parallel rise in the rate of osteoporosis is observed. Currently, diagnosis is made on the basis of bone mineral density, which seems to be a poor fracture predictor in about 40-50% of cases, and of clinical risk factors, but the trabecular structure arrangement should be evaluated as well. The BSI (Bone Structure Index) is a new index computed from simulated application of loads on a virtual biopsy of the patient. In this work, we aim to identify the distributions of BSI and of fragility fracture risk factors recognized by the scientific community in a population of over 300 female volunteers.