Osteoporosis Flashcards
Is osteoporosis quantitative or qualitative?
Quantitative
The bone is of normal quality there just isn’t enough of it
What is osteoporosis?
Bone defect characterized by reduced bone mineral density and increased porosity
Which photo shows normal bone?
Which photo shows osteoporosis?
Left photo shows normal bone
Right photo shows osteoporotic bone
What is the criteria or Osteoporosis?
What is the criteria for osteopenia?
*HINT: Value
Osteoporosis = Greater than 2.5 standard deviations from the mean (for their age and sex)
Osteopenia = Between 1 and 2.5 standard deviations from the mean (for their age and sex)
Who commonly gets osteoporosis?
Post- Menopausal Women
Elderly Women
What is the cause of osteoporosis?
In elderly - bone mineral density decreases after 30. This is due to slowing down of osteoblast activity and incresase in osteoclast activity
In menopause, there is loss of the protective effect of oestrogen
Can also be secondary to endocrine causes
Name some risk factors for developing osteoporosis?
Alcohol
Smoking
Lack of exercise
What are the two types of osteporosis?
Post Menopausal Women
Osteoporosis of Old Age
Describe the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis?
Fractures due to minor fall
- Colle’s Fracture
- Vertebral Insufficiency Fracture
- Femoral Neck Fractures
Describe diagnosis of osteoporosis?
DEXA Bone Scan
(Measures bone density)
Describe the treatment of osteoporosis?
- No cure so treatments aim to slow progression
- Exercise and diet to build up bone density naturally
- Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements
- Biphosphonates (Aledronate)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
What pharmacological agent is most commonly used in osteoporosis?
Bisphosphonates
(Eg: Aledronate)
Side effect of biphosphonates?
Oesophagitis/Heart Burn
Nauseau
Diarrhoea/Constipation
Describe osteoclasts and osteoblasts in osteoporosis?
INCREASE in OSTEOCLAST (reabsorption)
DECREASE in OSTEOBLAST (formation)
Describe the biochemistry in osteoporosis?
Calcium Normal
Phosphate Normal
ALP Normal
PTH Normal
