Study Reference:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) fragility-fracture fact sheet, osteoporosis means reduced bone density and deterioration of the micro-structure of bone tissue, which makes bones fragile. This article is an evergreen health-science study reference - it is not based on any new event, new study trend or youth-population trend claim.
According to WHO, a fragility fracture is a fracture caused by low-energy trauma - falling while standing or from even less height; it can occur without osteoporosis too, but the disease is its main risk factor.
Osteoporosis at a glance: Definition: low bone density plus erosion of micro-structure - bone fragility (WHO). Fragility fracture: a break from low-energy trauma (a fall from standing height or less). Main sites: spine, hip, wrist, upper arm (proximal humerus); hip and spine the most serious. Risk factors: modifiable - smoking, alcohol, inactivity; non-modifiable - age, female sex | WHO
Main Fracture Sites:
According to WHO, fragility fractures usually occur in the vertebrae, hip, wrist and proximal humerus (upper arm); among these, hip and spine fractures are considered the most serious.
A hip fracture has the greatest effect on mobility and independent living, so its public-health importance is greater in an elderly population.
Risk Factors:
According to WHO, the modifiable risk factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, low body weight, poor diet, deficiency of vitamin D and calcium, and long-term use of glucocorticoid medicines.
The non-modifiable factors include advancing age, female sex, menopause, a previous fracture history and a history of fracture in a parent.
This article is general-awareness study material only; it contains no medical advice, diagnosis or treatment suggestion of any kind.
Prelims: Practice Questions
Question 1. Which is the correct WHO-based definition of osteoporosis?
(a) Low bone density and erosion of bone micro-structure, which increases bone fragility
(b) An infectious disease of the joints
(c) Only a weakness of the muscles
(d) An international cancer of the bone marrow
View answer and reason
Answer: (a). According to the WHO fact sheet, osteoporosis is a condition of low bone density and erosion of micro-structure that makes bones fragile.
Question 2. Which trauma is included in the definition of a fragility fracture?
(a) Only a high-energy trauma from a vehicle accident
(b) Only a sports injury
(c) Low-energy trauma - falling from standing height or less
(d) Only lifting a heavy weight
View answer and reason
Answer: (c). According to WHO, a fragility fracture is one caused by low-energy trauma (a fall from standing height or less); it can occur without osteoporosis too.
Question 3. Which is a non-modifiable risk factor?
(a) Smoking
(b) Advancing age, female sex and menopause
(c) Physical inactivity
(d) Use of glucocorticoid medicines
View answer and reason
Answer: (b). According to WHO, age, female sex, menopause and a family history of fracture are non-modifiable factors; smoking, inactivity and glucocorticoids are modifiable.
Source:
WHO: Fragility fractures - fact sheet (osteoporosis, fracture sites, risk factors)
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