Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis

¶ … Pathophysiology

A 60-year-old female patient has been diagnosed with osteoporosis according to a recent bone density examination. A patient can be diagnoses with osteoporosis condition after bone density measurements, which usually differ based on the size, machine, and placement of region of interest. These measurements also involve studying overlying material where it is measured and the lack of normal structures such as laminectomy. Given that this condition affects a huge number of people in the United States and results in more than 1.5 million fractures annually, it is important for patients to measure bone mineral density. The diagnosis of the condition should be made before the initial fracture takes place, since once a fracture occurs in osteoporosis the risk of another fracture is relatively high (Richmond, 2003, p.353). This diagnosis is important in order for the patient to undertake necessary lifestyle changes and treatment procedures that help in preventing fractures.

Similar to other patients diagnosed with the condition, the 60-year-old female patient should be provided with information regarding the results of the test and the typical meaning of the T scores. The T score is basically the number of typical deviations below or above the mean value for young adult reference data, which is represents peak bone mass. The results of the bone density examination are usually expressed in the form of either a T score or a Z score. While the T scores reflect numbers that compare the condition of a patient's bones with those of an average young individual with healthy bones, the Z scores are numbers that compare the condition of a patient's bones with those of an average individual his/her age (Kleerekoper, Rosen, Mulder & Villalba, 2013). Since T score is always the more important of the two scores, it is usually presented in the negative or minus range. For the patient, the lower the bone density T scores, the greater the likelihood of bone fractures.

The normal bone density is usually reflected with a T-score between +1 and -1 as individuals with a score within this range do not usually need treatment. However, people with a score within this range should take necessary steps to prevent bone loss. Some of these measures or steps include taking enough amounts of vitamin D and calcium as well as carrying out weight-bearing exercise. Healthcare providers usually use the term low bone mass or osteopenia to refer to bone density that is lower than normal though has not yet reached low levels associated with osteoporosis. This implies that the patient needs to know that her condition i.e. osteoporosis is brought by extremely low levels of bone mass or porous bone that can result in fractures.

The major risk factors for diagnosis with osteoporosis include menopause and advancing age. The other risk factors include cigarette smoking, rheumatoid arthritis, low body weight, excessive consumption of alcohol, history of non-traumatic or low trauma bone fracture, and enduring use of steroid medications (Kleerekoper, Rosen, Mulder & Villalba, 2013). In addition, osteoporosis may be strongly linked to diabetes, chronic liver disease, early menopause, chronic malabsorption or malnutrition, hyperparathyroidism, and untreated hyperthyroidism.