Osteoporosis: A silent disease fraught with fragility fractures in geriatric population

Abstract

As per the Population Census2011, the elderly (aged 60 years or above) population in India was about 104 million (53 million females and 51 million males). As per United Nation Population Fund and Help Age India report speculated this number to rise to 173 million by 2026. The purpose of this article is to review the available literature regarding the different ways at hand for osteoporosis evaluation and diagnosis, various therapeutic modalities available for treatment and how they can be utilized for prevention of fractures due to insufficiency of bones in consequence of osteoporosis. The recommendations and conclusions have been evolved after the thorough review of various literatures on osteoporosis. The evidence based recommendations are based on systemic reviews, meta-analysis and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), wherever available. The evidences and recommendations extracted after extensive review of literature has been provided for diagnosis, assessment of risks for fractures, pharmacological therapies with life style modifications, treatment duration of bisphosphonate therapy. The evidences and recommendations extracted after extensive review of literature helped in formulating guidelines to provide a concised but complete overview of all aspects of osteoporosis that will definitely help all healthcare professionals.