Causes of osteoporosis

This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Doctor CKII Hoang Thi Hien - Department of Examination - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Any subject is at risk of osteoporosis, depending on the specific case, the doctor will prescribe different treatment. Knowing the risk factors and causes of osteoporosis will make prevention more effective.

1. Learn about osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a metabolic disorder that damages bone strength and increases the risk of fractures. Bone strength includes the integrity of both bone mass and quality.
The mechanism of osteoporosis includes: Resorption (Resorption) > bone formation (Formation) Osteoporosis

2. Causes of osteoporosis

Patients can be diagnosed with primary or secondary osteoporosis, in which:
Causes of primary osteoporosis:
Postmenopausal osteoporosis Osteoporosis in the elderly The cause of secondary osteoporosis is due to:
Systemic diseases: Kidney failure, liver failure, kahler, metastasis, rheumatoid arthritis ... Vitamin D deficiency, calcium deficiency Endocrine pathology: Cushing, hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism ... Drugs: Glucocorticoid, antiepileptic ... In addition, some factors increase the risk of osteoporosis including:
Older age Gender History of osteoporosis fractures (including vertebral compression fractures) Parental history of femur fractures Low BMI Systemic inflammatory diseases (VKD, VCSD...) Secondary osteoporosis Smoking Drinking alcohol ≥ 3 drinks/day Taking glucocorticoids (eg prednisolone) ≥ 5 mg/day ≥ 3 months

3. Diagnosis of osteoporosis

3.1 Subclinical diagnosis Laboratory tests to help diagnose osteoporosis include:
Bone Mineral Density (BMD) assessment: Dual X-ray energy absorptiometry (DXA), periodic ultrasound Conventional radiology, digital radiography Bone turnover marker tests: Quantitative Osteocalcin, Bone Specific Alkaline Phosphatase (BSAP) in blood to assess bone formation. Blood biochemical tests, blood calcium, urinary calcium. Tests to check parathyroid glands, Phosphatase Alcaline, Quantification of female sex hormones. Determination of blood cortisone. 3.2 Clinical diagnosis Doctors can diagnose osteoporosis in patients based on clinical symptoms such as:
Decrease in height: Loss of 2cm in 3 years Humpback prone to fracture The patient is diagnosed with severe osteoporosis (WHO) ) when: T-Score -2.5 with fracture

4. Subjects to measure osteoporosis

Some people should have regular osteoporosis measurement:
Women over 65 years old Men over 70 years Women over 50 years old with osteoporosis fractures Postmenopausal women with major risk factors For Subjects taking long-term corticosteroids (7.5 mg prednisolone for at least 3 months) Subjects with systemic diseases that increase the risk of osteoporosis (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis ...)

5. Indications for treatment of osteoporosis

T-score -1.5 and at least one risk factor T-score - 2.0 despite no risk factors Women over 65 years of age with 2 or more risk factors Women Menopause with fracture Depending on the specific case, the treating doctor will give appropriate treatment indications. The drug treatment must be followed for a long time, combined with diet and exercise to be effective.

6. Prevention of osteoporosis

Provide Calcium – Vitamin D as needed Regular exercise Reduce risk of falls Keep a reasonable weight Stop smoking, reduce alcohol Prevent disease in some special subjects:
Postmenopausal women: Yes can use HRT Young people at high risk of dementia: Bisphosphonates can be used Young men (SD failure): Can use testosterone.... Vinmec International General Hospital with medical facilities and equipment With modern medical facilities and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, patients can rest assured that they will be examined and treated for osteoporosis at the Hospital.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References:
Bolland MJ et al.” Effective osteoporosis treatment on mortality in eight randomized placebo – controlled trials”. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010;95:1174-1181. European guidance for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation 2012 SEE MORE
Causes of osteoporosis - early detection, early prevention How does diabetes cause osteoporosis? Possible difficulties in the treatment of osteoporosis