Osteoporosis in older adults

The incidence of fragility fractures increases progressively with advance in age after 50 years, and the phenomenon of population ageing will lead to an increased proportion of the world population having osteoporosis and fractures. The consequences of fractures are more serious in older adults: all low-trauma fractures were associated with increased mortality risk and the risk of a second major osteoporotic fracture after a first one also increased with advance in age. Along with the decrease in bone mineral density, falls play an essential role in the occurrence of fragility fractures in older adults, and the assessment of the risk of falling is part of the fracture risk assessment. Despite advances in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, the assessment of fracture risk, and a wide range of effective anti-osteoporosis medications, with parenteral route which can improve observance, many data indicate that the therapeutic care gap is particularly wide in the elderly in whom the importance and impact of a treatment are high and even more in those living in institutions. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Soci et e franc , aise de rhumatologie.

Automated summary

The incidence of fragility fractures increases with age after 50, particularly in the elderly, leading to serious consequences. Falls and decreased bone mineral density are major factors in fragility fractures in older adults. Despite advancements in osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment, there is still a significant treatment gap in the elderly population.