Osteoporosis is the commonest
disorder of bone metabolism, affecting 1 in 3 women over the age of
50 years and 1 in 8 men. In the US alone, more than 10 million
people over the age of 50 years currently have osteoporosis, and
over 33 million have low bone density mass. As the population ages
this is expected to rise significantly.
The proven association between osteoporosis and fractures makes
osteoporosis a significant health concern, with osteoporosis
related fractures estimated to be costing the healthcare system
$20bn in the US and €25bn in Europe each year.
However osteoporosis remains largely under diagnosed and under
treated.
