Public health impact of osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE To describe the public health impact of osteoporosis including the magnitude of the problem and important consequences of osteoporotic fractures. METHODS Literature review of key references selected by author. RESULTS Current demographic trends leading to an increased number of individuals surviving past age 65 will result in an increased number of osteoporotic fractures. Important consequences of osteoporotic fractures include an increased mortality that for hip fractures extends to 10 years after the fracture. Increased mortality risk also extends to major and minor fractures, especially, in those over 75 years. Hip and vertebral fractures have important functional consequences and reductions in quality of life. The economic impact of osteoporotic fractures is large and growing. Significant health care resources are required for all fractures. CONCLUSIONS To alleviate the public and private burden of osteoporosis related fractures, assessment of risk and reduction of individual risk is critical.