Osteopenia

The Osteopenia refers to a reduction in bone density, it is a precursor to osteoporosis. However, not every person gets diagnosed with osteopenia osteoporosis.

Rather, osteopenia is defined as follows: The measured values ​​of bone density are in the osteopenia between 1.0 and 2.5 standard deviations lower compared to an age-and gender- norm (T- score). Even if it is only from a measured value of 2.5 standard deviations about osteoporosis is caused already osteopenia an increased risk of bone fractures.

As osteoporosis they most frequently occurs in women after menopause as a result of estrogen deficiency on. The risk is increased by certain life circumstances, such as lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking or taking medications containing glucocorticoids, for a longer period of time as may be prescribed, for example, against certain respiratory and skin diseases.

Is not sufficient to a change in diet and increased physical activity for the treatment of osteopenia, medications can be used. The effect of different preparations is controversial in the medical community. Are used, for example, calcium and vitamin D tablets containing sodium fluoride or bisphosphonates.

To estimate whether already in the presence of osteopenia antiresorptive therapy is indicated, for example, with a aminobisphosphonate may be inferred from the computerized algorithm FRAX (WHO Fracture Risc Assessment Tool ) and the data of a bone density measurement, the ten-year risk of osteoporotic fracture and the be calculated for a broken bone near the hip joint. Recommendations for a Aminobisphosphonattherapie exist in a ten-year risk of 20 % and 3% respectively.