An Overview on Osteoporosis Diagnosis and Management in a Primary Health Care Setting

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Background: Osteoporosis is a bone disorder which results in a low bone mineral density (BMD) resulting in an increased risk of fractures in affected patients. Patients with this disease will be asymptomatic and thus will not seek medical attention. Osteoporosis is a prevalent condition especially in the older population and is estimated to affect more than 14 million people in the US. Locally, this disease is prominent in the age group between 50 and 79 years affecting around 30.7% of Saudi men and 34% of Saudi women. Thus, early recognition and detection by primary care and family physicians is vital to limit the complications of this disease. Objectives: We aimed to review the literature regarding the pathophysiology of osteoporosis, clinical features, risk factors, diagnosis, and management. Methodology: PubMed database was used for articles selection, from which the papers were obtained and reviewed. Conclusion: Osteoporosis is a disease of age mainly and affects the bones in general, resulting in fractures, high morbidity, and affecting the quality of life. Thus, physicians shall be able to clinically suspect it, take a good history, in order to diagnose this disease, and form a good management plan. The importance of early diagnosis and screening is immeasurable since this disease is asymptomatic. Many treatment options are available with variable classes and proven results in decreasing the risk of fractures, thus providing better prognosis.