MEASURES TO IMPROVE BONE MINERALISATION IN OSTEOPOROSIS

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease characterised by low bone mass and changes in the micro-architecture of bone tissue, leading to an increased risk of bone fragility and fractures. The disease is most commonly diagnosed in older people, especially women, but as the population ages, osteoporosis is becoming a major public health problem. If left untreated, osteoporosis not only causes severe physical symptoms, but also affects a person's psychosocial life, such as their ability to take care of their daily needs and their self-confidence. In women, the process of bone thinning is significantly accelerated by the menopause, which is why a large proportion of sufferers are women aged between 50 and 70 years (post-menopausal age) [1]. Osteoporosis affects 1 in 3 women over 50 and 1 in 5 men over 50 [2]. The treatment of osteoporosis must be long-term and individualised in order to reduce the risk of non-traumatic fractures, prevent new fractures, and stabilise or increase BMD. Specific treatment should be combined with general measures to improve bone mineralisation.