Osteoporosis Basics

Facts & Statistics

• Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become thin and porous, decreasing bone strength and leading to increased risk of breaking a bone.
• The most common sites for osteoporotic fracture are the wrist, spine, shoulder and hip.
• No single cause for osteoporosis has been identified.
• Osteoporosis is often called the ‘silent thief’ because bone loss occurs without symptoms unless one has fractured.
• Osteoporosis can strike at any age.
• Osteoporosis affects both men and women.
• More women than men have osteoporosis and low bone mass.
• Osteoporosis is a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences.
• The best defense again osteoporosis is to build strong bones during childhood and adolescence as it protects developing osteoporosis at a later age.
• Peak bone mass is achieved at an early age, age 16-20 in girls and age 20-25 in young men.
• Women and men alike begin to lose bone in their mid-30s; as they approach menopause, women lose bone at a greater rate, from 1.5-3 percent per year.

Prevalence

• Approximately 2 million Canadians are affected by osteoporosis
• at least one in three women and one in five men will suffer a fracture from osteoporosis during their lifetime