Prevalence, Pathogenesis and Treatment of Post‐menopausal Osteoporosis

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Abstract
Summary: About 11% of post‐menopausal women with wrist fractures have spinal osteoporosis with compressed vertebrae, and about 25% of post‐menopausal osteoporosis patients have had a wrist fracture. The estimated prevalence of post‐menopausal spinal osteoporosis is 4% of the female population at age 60 and about 8% at age 80. Osteoporotic patients have lower plasma oestrone and androstenedione levels, lower calcium absorption and higher urinary hydroxyproline than matched controls. Of six treatments tested in three different ways, the least successful were vitamin D2 and 1α‐OHD3 and the most successful were hormones with or without 1α.‐(OH)2D3 and calcium supplements. Calcium and vitamin D given in combination occupied an intermediate position.