OSTEOPOROSIS EXAM 3 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What is osteoporosis? - Answers -Chronic, progressive metabolic bone disease
marked by:
Ø Low bone mass
Ø Deterioration of bone tissue that leads to increased bone fragility
What is osteomalacia? - Answers -- softening of the bones.
- It most often occurs because of a problem with vitamin D, which helps your body
absorb calcium.
What is osteopenia? - Answers -- the precursor to osteoporosis
- refers to low bone mineral density
Who is osteoporosis more common in? - Answers -• Higher incidence in white and
Asian American women; risk of fracture
higher in white women
• Eight times more common in women than men
• 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men will have fracture related to osteoporosis
Why is osteoporosis more common in women? - Answers -Ø Lower calcium intake
Ø Less bone mass
Ø Bone resorption begins earlier and becomes more rapid at menopause
Ø Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Ø Longevity
What are screening guidelines for osteoporosis? - Answers -Ø Initial bone density test
in women over age 65
• Repeat in 15 years if normal
• Earlier and more frequent if high risk
Low body weight, smoker, prior fractures
Ø Currently no evidence of benefit for screening in men
What are risk factors for osteoporosis? - Answers -Ø Advancing age (greater than 65
yr)
Ø Female gender
Ø Low body weight
Ø White or Asian
Ø Current cigarette smoking
, Ø Prior fracture
Ø Sedentary lifestyle
Ø Estrogen deficiency
Ø Family history
Ø Diet low in calcium/vitamin D deficiency
Ø Excessive use of alcohol (greater than 2 drinks/day)
Ø Low testosterone in men
Ø Long-term use of corticosteroids, thyroid replacement, heparin, long-
acting sedatives, or antiseizure drugs
A - Alcohol
C - Corticosteroids
C - Calcium LOW
E - Estrogen Low
S - Smoking
S - Sedentary Lifestyle
What is the pathophysiology of osteoporosis? - Answers -Remodeling
- Osteoclasts break down bone (resorb bone)
- Osteoblasts build bone (deposit bone)
- In osteoporosis, bone resorption exceeds bone deposition
What are preventative factors for osteoporosis? - Answers -Ø Regular weight-bearing
exercise
- Build up and maintain bone mass
- Increase strength, coordination, balance
- Walking (30 minutes 3 times per week), hiking, weight training, stair
climbing, tennis, dancing - Consider gait aid and protect areas prone to pathologic
fractures
Ø Adequate intake of:
• Fluoride
• Calcium
• Vitamin D
- Vitamin D necessary for calcium absorption/function; bone formation
- Sunlight for 20 minutes adequate
- Supplemental (800 to 1000 IU/day)
Ø Postmenopausal
Ø Older adults
Ø Homebound/long-term care
Ø Northern climates with decreased sun exposure
- Quit smoking
What is osteoporosis? - Answers -Chronic, progressive metabolic bone disease
marked by:
Ø Low bone mass
Ø Deterioration of bone tissue that leads to increased bone fragility
What is osteomalacia? - Answers -- softening of the bones.
- It most often occurs because of a problem with vitamin D, which helps your body
absorb calcium.
What is osteopenia? - Answers -- the precursor to osteoporosis
- refers to low bone mineral density
Who is osteoporosis more common in? - Answers -• Higher incidence in white and
Asian American women; risk of fracture
higher in white women
• Eight times more common in women than men
• 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men will have fracture related to osteoporosis
Why is osteoporosis more common in women? - Answers -Ø Lower calcium intake
Ø Less bone mass
Ø Bone resorption begins earlier and becomes more rapid at menopause
Ø Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Ø Longevity
What are screening guidelines for osteoporosis? - Answers -Ø Initial bone density test
in women over age 65
• Repeat in 15 years if normal
• Earlier and more frequent if high risk
Low body weight, smoker, prior fractures
Ø Currently no evidence of benefit for screening in men
What are risk factors for osteoporosis? - Answers -Ø Advancing age (greater than 65
yr)
Ø Female gender
Ø Low body weight
Ø White or Asian
Ø Current cigarette smoking
, Ø Prior fracture
Ø Sedentary lifestyle
Ø Estrogen deficiency
Ø Family history
Ø Diet low in calcium/vitamin D deficiency
Ø Excessive use of alcohol (greater than 2 drinks/day)
Ø Low testosterone in men
Ø Long-term use of corticosteroids, thyroid replacement, heparin, long-
acting sedatives, or antiseizure drugs
A - Alcohol
C - Corticosteroids
C - Calcium LOW
E - Estrogen Low
S - Smoking
S - Sedentary Lifestyle
What is the pathophysiology of osteoporosis? - Answers -Remodeling
- Osteoclasts break down bone (resorb bone)
- Osteoblasts build bone (deposit bone)
- In osteoporosis, bone resorption exceeds bone deposition
What are preventative factors for osteoporosis? - Answers -Ø Regular weight-bearing
exercise
- Build up and maintain bone mass
- Increase strength, coordination, balance
- Walking (30 minutes 3 times per week), hiking, weight training, stair
climbing, tennis, dancing - Consider gait aid and protect areas prone to pathologic
fractures
Ø Adequate intake of:
• Fluoride
• Calcium
• Vitamin D
- Vitamin D necessary for calcium absorption/function; bone formation
- Sunlight for 20 minutes adequate
- Supplemental (800 to 1000 IU/day)
Ø Postmenopausal
Ø Older adults
Ø Homebound/long-term care
Ø Northern climates with decreased sun exposure
- Quit smoking
