New Report from the CDC Show High Rates of Osteoporosis

A recently released report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 25 percent of all American women aged 65 or older suffer from osteoporosis.   In men over 65 years, the figure drops to about 6 percent.

Osteoporosis is the gradual weakening of the skeletal system and causes bones to become weak and brittle.  Those with the disease have a greatly increased risk of fractures from falls or even mild stresses.  One of the most common ways to diagnose it is through a dual X-ray absorptiometry, also called DXA or DEXA.  This test is used to measures the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine, hip or total body bone density to help evaluate a person’s risk of fracture.   The scan is painless and noninvasive and typically takes no more than 10 or 20 minutes.

One of the results from the study is that experts agree that there should be a bigger push for more adults to get tested for the disease.  Dr. Saad Chaudhary, a spine surgeon at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York City, says that osteoporosis and the less severe condition known as osteopenia (low bone mass) are “not just a problem for the 80-year-old individual, but starts to become an issue for many adults in their 50s and 60s."

The study was conducted by researchers, Anne Looker and Steven Frenk, of the CDC's Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Statistics and examined data from a large federal health survey done in 2005-2010.  Data from the study also indicates that osteopenia was discovered in 52 percent of senior women and 44 percent of senior men.    

Currently bone mineral density screening is recommended for all postmenopausal women.  For men aged 50 and over, the test is recommended based on risk factors.  All women age 70 and older as well as all men 80 and above should have the test done.  Furthermore, doctors recommend that to reduce your risk of osteoporosis in later life, eat plenty of calcium and Vitamin D enriched foods.  

** This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Consult your health care provider regarding all of your medical concerns. **

     

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Sources:nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_154101.html,webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20150813/1-in-4-senior-women-in-us-has-osteoporosis-cdc