Vitamin D insufficiency in male osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is an important public health issue among men, affecting up to 20% of all men in the United States >50 years of age. The social and economic costs of male osteoporosis are profound but can be minimized by a preventive approach, including early identification and treatment of men at risk for this potentially crippling disease. As part of this preventive approach, clinicians should screen susceptible patients for vitamin D deficiency, a commonly occurring, highly correctable risk factor for osteoporosis. Appropriate detection of vitamin D deficiency in men at risk for osteoporosis and adequate correction of this deficiency will significantly reduce morbidity and mortality associated with male osteoporosis.