Description
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterised by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. It is a widespread condition, often unrecognised in clinical practice, which may have devastating health consequences through its association with fragility fractures. An expert panel convened by the World Health Organisation has suggested that both low bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture be combined in a stratified definition of osteoporosis. There are four categories:
