THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF OSTEOPOROSIS - PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT-CARE

The new definition of osteoporosis moves this disorder from a disease of fractures to a disease of fracture risks. Like blood lipids and blo od pressure, bone mineral density is now viewed as a predictor of poss ible problems. Through careful history taking and physical examination , primary care physicians can identify patients in whom intervention i s likely to prevent the anguish of broken bones and lost mobility. In this article, Drs Goddard and Kleerekoper discuss the new diagnostic c riteria and what they mean for your patients.