Osteoporosis in Family Medicine: Are we Doing What’s Necessary?

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease with a high prevalence and a significant impact but is still undertreated.
The approach of osteoporosis underwent an important change with the introduction of the FRAX (fracture risk assessment tool), which allows the estimation of the risk of major fractures and hip fractures at 10 years, helping in the need to perform bone osteodensitometry and to anti-osteoporotic therapy.
The approval of new parenterally administered anti-osteoporotic agents such as zolendronic acid, denosumab and teriparatide has contributed to the increased therapeutic efficacy and the administration comfort in the treatment of osteoporosis.
Due to its proximity and transversality, Family Medicine as a privileged position in the assessment the risk of falling, estimating the risk of fragility fracture, diagnosing osteoporosis and starting and monitoring anti-osteoporotic therapy. Thus, and in light of current scientific evidence, a change in the paradigm of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of osteoporosis by family physicians is needed.