Osteoporosis is a common systemic skeletal disorder resulting in bone fragility and increased fracture risk. However, management of osteoporosis and fracture prevention strategies are often not addressed by primary care clinicians, even in older patients with recent fractures. Evidence-based screening strategies can improve identification of patients who are most likely to benefit from drug treatment to prevent fracture. In addition, careful consideration of when pharmacotherapy should be started and the choice of medication and duration of treatment will maximize benefits of fracture prevention while minimizing potential harms of long-term drug exposure.
Use this article to:
- Evaluate the risk factors for osteoporosis.
- Assess the recommendations for screening for osteoporosis.
- Review the ACP recommendations on pharmacologic treatment of osteoporosis.
- If possible, consult a pharmacist to ascertain the appropriate prescription and monitoring of osteoporosis medications.
In the Clinic is a feature of Annals of Internal Medicine which includes practical reviews about the management of common clinical conditions.
Back to the February 2024 issue of ACP IMpact