Patient Case Report
Osteoporosis is a condition commonly affecting the elderly that is characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, resulting in bone fragility and an increased likelihood of fractures (Seriolo et al., 2013). For an aging population, the effects of osteoporosis dramatically increase due to their already decreasing bone mass and fragile structure, as well as their greater risk of falls. Hip, vertebral and wrist fractures are all common injuries amongst the elderly and research shows that after the age of 70, the risk of hip fractures rises exponentially (Seriolo et al., 2013). Moreover, studies have shown a higher incidence rate for osteoporosis in women than in men, with women over 50 having …show more content…
Osteoclasts and osteoblasts are responsible for breaking down bone and replacing resorbed bone respectively (Seriolo et al., 2013). Natural aging results in less bone formation from osteoblasts causing more bone resorption and therefore negatively impacting skeletal homeostasis (Seriolo et al., 2013). Hormones such as estrogen and parathyroid hormone are some of the most important modulators for bone formation and play a large role in optimal bone maintenance and development (International Osteoporosis Foundation, 2015). Estrogen has been seen to have a direct effect on the osteoblast and osteoclasts bone cells. Declines in estrogen in postmenopausal women cause increased osteoclast life span and decreased osteoblast lifespan further disrupting the balance between bone formation and reabsorption, thus increasing the risk of osteoporosis (Christodoulou & Cooper, 2003). Osteoporosis is not expected to affect men as much as women due to their larger skeleton and the decreased load per volume on their bones (Seriolo et al., 2013). However, the decline in gonadal function in aging men contributes to reduced amounts of free testosterone, resulting in a lowered production of bone mass and increased risk of osteoporosis (Kastelan, Giljevic, Kraljevic, & Korsic, 2006). The aging man will also experience decreased osteoblast function thus contributing to osteoporosis, …show more content…
The National Academy of Sciences recommends that women over the age of 50 should be taking between 1200 and 2500 mg of calcium daily to help maintain adequate bone health. Researchers have also suggested that calcium and Vitamin D be taken as supplements because consuming these minerals in a regular diet is not sufficient. Specific to postmenopausal women, hormone replacement therapy has been seen to decrease fracture risk by increasing BMB values (Guggenbuhl, 2009). Moreover, medications specifically recommended to women are ibandronate and strontium renelate. Medications that are approved for males and females are alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid and teriparatide. Though specific treatments for men are limited, bisphosphonates and teriparatide indicate similar protective effects that exist in women (Guggenbuhl, 2009). Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as lasofoxifene and raloxifene have been shown to increase bone mineral density of the hip in men (Kastelan et al., 2006). With an increased knowledge of osteoporotic disease pathobiology, ample progress has been made with treatment plans (Makras, Delaroudis, & Anastasilakis, 2015). Current osteoporotic medications target either osteoclast or osteoblast activity, however because these activities are linked, new treatment is working towards uncoupling
Osteoporosis is a condition commonly affecting the elderly that is characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, resulting in bone fragility and an increased likelihood of fractures (Seriolo et al., 2013). For an aging population, the effects of osteoporosis dramatically increase due to their already decreasing bone mass and fragile structure, as well as their greater risk of falls. Hip, vertebral and wrist fractures are all common injuries amongst the elderly and research shows that after the age of 70, the risk of hip fractures rises exponentially (Seriolo et al., 2013). Moreover, studies have shown a higher incidence rate for osteoporosis in women than in men, with women over 50 having …show more content…
Osteoclasts and osteoblasts are responsible for breaking down bone and replacing resorbed bone respectively (Seriolo et al., 2013). Natural aging results in less bone formation from osteoblasts causing more bone resorption and therefore negatively impacting skeletal homeostasis (Seriolo et al., 2013). Hormones such as estrogen and parathyroid hormone are some of the most important modulators for bone formation and play a large role in optimal bone maintenance and development (International Osteoporosis Foundation, 2015). Estrogen has been seen to have a direct effect on the osteoblast and osteoclasts bone cells. Declines in estrogen in postmenopausal women cause increased osteoclast life span and decreased osteoblast lifespan further disrupting the balance between bone formation and reabsorption, thus increasing the risk of osteoporosis (Christodoulou & Cooper, 2003). Osteoporosis is not expected to affect men as much as women due to their larger skeleton and the decreased load per volume on their bones (Seriolo et al., 2013). However, the decline in gonadal function in aging men contributes to reduced amounts of free testosterone, resulting in a lowered production of bone mass and increased risk of osteoporosis (Kastelan, Giljevic, Kraljevic, & Korsic, 2006). The aging man will also experience decreased osteoblast function thus contributing to osteoporosis, …show more content…
The National Academy of Sciences recommends that women over the age of 50 should be taking between 1200 and 2500 mg of calcium daily to help maintain adequate bone health. Researchers have also suggested that calcium and Vitamin D be taken as supplements because consuming these minerals in a regular diet is not sufficient. Specific to postmenopausal women, hormone replacement therapy has been seen to decrease fracture risk by increasing BMB values (Guggenbuhl, 2009). Moreover, medications specifically recommended to women are ibandronate and strontium renelate. Medications that are approved for males and females are alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid and teriparatide. Though specific treatments for men are limited, bisphosphonates and teriparatide indicate similar protective effects that exist in women (Guggenbuhl, 2009). Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as lasofoxifene and raloxifene have been shown to increase bone mineral density of the hip in men (Kastelan et al., 2006). With an increased knowledge of osteoporotic disease pathobiology, ample progress has been made with treatment plans (Makras, Delaroudis, & Anastasilakis, 2015). Current osteoporotic medications target either osteoclast or osteoblast activity, however because these activities are linked, new treatment is working towards uncoupling