Bone Health

Question 1

What is osteoporosis?

Answer 1

Progressive systemic skeletal disease characterised by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture

Question 2

What are common sites of osteoporotic fractures?

Answer 2

Neck of femur, vertebral body, distal radius, humeral neck

Question 3

Why does osteoporosis occur?

Answer 3

There is a relative or absolute increase in bone resorption by osteoclasts over formation that leads to increased bone loss

Question 4

What are modifiable risk factors for fragility fractures?

Answer 4

BMD, alcohol, weight, smoking, physical inactivity

Question 5

When should you refer someone for a DEXA scan after an osteoporotic risk factor assessment?

Answer 5

Anyone with a 10y risk assessment for any OP fracture of at least 10%

Question 6

What DEXA results would you get in osteopenia (low bone mass)?

Answer 6

BMD >1SD below young adult mean but

Question 7

What DEXA results would you get in osteoporosis?

Answer 7

BMD >=2.5 SD below the young adult mean

Question 8

What are 2’ causes of OP?

Answer 8

Endocrine e.g. hyperthyroid/parathyroidism, Cushing’s disease, GI e.g. coeliac, IBD, chronic liver disease, chronic pancreatitis, resp e.g. CF, COPD, chronic kidney disease