Nonvertebral Fractures Due to Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: Evaluation of Effective Preventive Interventions

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by compromised bone strength that predisposes affected individuals to an increased risk for fracture.1 In the United States, 20% of postmenopausal white women have osteoporosis. An additional 52% have low bone mass at the hip, placing them at an increased risk for osteoporotic fractures.2 However, osteoporosis is often asymptomatic until fracture occurs. Even after fracture, patients often are not treated. One year after a first hip or wrist fracture, only 4-5% of women 50 years or older were taking medications to reduce the risk of ...