Osteoporosis in Men

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Although osteoporosis is generally thought of and discussed as a disease that strikes post-menopausal women, the incidence of osteoporosis in men is also substantial.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates:

• That nearly 2 million males in the US have osteoporosis
• Another 12 million are at risk of developing the disease if medical and lifestyle interventions are not adopted.

What’s more, a recent study conducted of over 4000 Australian men and women concluded that after an initial osteoporosis-related fracture, the absolute risk of a subsequent fracture within ten years of the first was similar in men and women.

So while a larger percentage of women are initially twice as susceptible to osteoporosis, after osteoporosis takes hold and results in a fracture, the long-term impact for men is roughly equivalent, with 40% of surviving women and 60% of surviving men experiencing another fracture.

These figures may strike many as both surprising and alarming. Together, they underscore the need for men to become more educated about osteoporosis generally – its risk factors and treatments – as well as adopt changes that could prevent or mitigate the risk of fractures.

The highest risks of a subsequent fracture were in people who had a hip or spine fracture (e.g. vs. a wrist fracture) as their initial osteoporotic break. Government researchers have found that after age 50, nearly 6% of men will experience a hip fracture and nearly as many (5%) will suffer a spinal (vertebral) fracture caused by osteoporosis.

• Article written By:
• Grant Cooper, MD

May 17, 2007

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