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Osteoporosis: Difference between revisions
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<section begin="clinical biochemistry" />'''Osteoporosis''' refers to the decreased bone density, which increases the risk for [[Fracture|fractures]]. It’s defined according to the results of a DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan or by the presence of a [[pathological fracture]]. The DEXA scan calculates the bone mineral density and gives a T-score. Osteoporosis is defined as a T-score of less than -2,5 standard deviations. This means that a person with osteoporosis has 2,5 standard deviations lower bone density than an average young adult female. | <section begin="orthopaedics" /><section begin="clinical biochemistry" />'''Osteoporosis''' refers to the decreased bone density, which increases the risk for [[Fracture|fractures]]. It’s defined according to the results of a DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan or by the presence of a [[pathological fracture]]. The DEXA scan calculates the bone mineral density and gives a T-score. Osteoporosis is defined as a T-score of less than -2,5 standard deviations. This means that a person with osteoporosis has 2,5 standard deviations lower bone density than an average young adult female. | ||
T-score between -1 and -2,5 is less severe and is called '''osteopaenia'''. | T-score between -1 and -2,5 is less severe and is called '''osteopaenia'''. | ||
== Etiology == | == Etiology == | ||
* Female gender | * Female gender | ||
* Old age | * Old age | ||
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<section end="clinical biochemistry" /> | <section end="clinical biochemistry" /> | ||
== Clinical features == | == Clinical features == | ||
Most patients with osteoporosis are asymptomatic, but the condition predisposes to so-called ''[[Pathological fracture|pathological fractures]]''. These are fractures which are caused by normal activities which would otherwise not cause fracture in healthy people. Fractures can occur during bending over, sneezing, or falling from small height. These fractures most commonly affect the vertebrae. | Most patients with osteoporosis are asymptomatic, but the condition predisposes to so-called ''[[Pathological fracture|pathological fractures]]''. These are fractures which are caused by normal activities which would otherwise not cause fracture in healthy people. Fractures can occur during bending over, sneezing, or falling from small height. These fractures most commonly affect the vertebrae.<section end="orthopaedics" /> | ||
Vertebral compression fractures can occur in the absence of trauma. These are often asymptomatic but lead to decreased height and increased kyphosis over time. | Vertebral compression fractures can occur in the absence of trauma. These are often asymptomatic but lead to decreased height and increased kyphosis over time. | ||