Bone Disease

Bone disease can be due to a number of factors and encompass a large number of pathologies. The main focus of this course is osteoporosis, a very common and very morbid condition characterized by a global decrease in bone density caused by dysregulation of bone homeostasis and leading to increased bone fragility. Osteoporotic fractures can lead to major disability, significantly impact quality of life, and even hasten mortality. Nearly half of all women who have been through menopause will develop an osteoporotic facture in their lifetime, and of those who are unfortunate enough to suffer a hip fracture, nearly two-thirds will never return to independent living. Although men carry an overall lower risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, the one-year mortality of hip fractures in men is nearly double that of women. Therefore, osteoporosis screening and early diagnosis can prevent significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly population.