Osteoporosis and Seniors

Osteoporosis and Seniors

Middle-aged and younger people may develop OSTEOPOROSIS. However, it is the most dangerous when present among elderly individuals because of the increased risk for bone fractures. In addition, the rate of hospitalization for vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis increases dramatically with age. For example, among people between the ages of 65–74 in the United States, 6.7 people per 1,000 are hospitalized because of an osteoporotic vertebral fracture. This rate nearly quadruple for people age 75–84, to a rate of 26 people per 1,000. The rate of hospitalization for vertebral fractures rises still higher for people ages 85 and older, with a rate of 39 people per 1,000.



Many people believe that only older women are at risk for osteoporosis. However, older men are at risk as well. In some studies, such as the Rotterdam Study, bone loss in men ages 70–75 was actually worse than the bone loss found among same-aged women.

Some experts believe that bone loss is linked to declining levels of growth hormone among elderly individuals, but studies to date have not borne out this hypothesis. Further studies are needed to determine if administering growth hormone could improve bone density levels in older individuals.

However, studies on providing another substance, vitamin D, to elderly individuals who were deficient in vitamin D have demonstrated that bone density can improve with this supplementation. In one study, femoral bone density increased 2–7 percent over 18 months in elderly women given vitamin D, while it declined 4–6 percent in the group that received the placebo.

Osteoporosis is considered primary osteoporosis if no illness or cause can be found for it. It is usually reated with medications such as alendronate (Fosamax) to build up the bones. Other drugs that are prescribed for osteoporosis are risedronate (Actonel), raloxifene (Evista), and calcitonin (Miacalcin).

Osteoporosis is considered to be secondary if other factors have caused this medical problem. Many older people have secondary osteoporosis that
was originally caused by hypogonadism, THYROTOXICOSIS, and HYPERPARATHYROIDISM. Some medications, such as GLUCOCORTICOIDS and anticonvulsants, can also cause secondary osteoporosis. Some lifestyle
choices, such as alcohol abuse and smoking, can induce secondary osteoporosis as well. With secondary osteoporosis, a variety of treatment
recommendations can be made based on the underlying cause of the osteoporosis. For example, people who smoke should immediately stop smoking.


Endocrine diseases and disorders such as hypogonadism, thyrotoxicosis, and hyperparathyroidism can and should be treated. If medications are inducing secondary osteoporosis, physicians may change the drug or lower the dose. For example, if glucocorticoid drugs have caused secondary osteoporosis, physicians may decide to prescribe thiazide diuretics to correct this problem.