Bone loss - Epidemiology of bone loss

Bone loss occurs when the cellular events of bone formation are quantitativ ely larger than bone formation. This manuscript discusses the measurement o f bone loss, occurrence in the population, risk factors and consequences of bone loss. Recent developments in bone mass measurement and biomarkers hav e improved our ability to assess bone loss. This process is a normal concom itant of ageing. There are a number of other risk factors, including sex ho rmone deficiency, physical inactivity, calcium/vitamin D deficiency, inflam matory arthritis, corticosteroids, smoking and alcohol. The major consequen ce of bone loss in our ageing society is fracture.