An osteoporosis specialist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent osteoporosis—a condition characterized by decreased bone density, which increases the risk of fractures.
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease marked by reduced bone mass and microarchitectural changes in bone tissue, leading to increased fragility and a higher risk of fractures. The causes of osteoporosis vary, but in most cases, it results from hormonal changes, insufficient physical activity, and aging. This disease affects approximately one in four or five women and one in seven or eight men over the age of 60. Osteoporosis is treatable, but early detection and prevention are crucial.
As people age, the likelihood of developing osteoporosis—a systemic skeletal disease that weakens bones and makes them prone to fractures from minor daily injuries—increases. Fractures significantly limit mobility and reduce quality of life. Therefore, like many other diseases, osteoporosis should be diagnosed early. A key diagnostic tool is osteodensitometry, which measures bone mineral density using X-rays.
Osteodensitometry for osteoporosis diagnosis
Osteodensitometry is a completely painless procedure. The patient lies on a specialized table while a scanning device, positioned approximately 70 cm above, measures bone density. The results are presented in a color-coded table: green indicates normal bone density, yellow suggests osteopenia (the early stage of osteoporosis), and red confirms osteoporosis. However, a specialist will assess the results in detail, as osteoporosis may be present in specific areas even if the overall measurement does not indicate it.
Bone density testing is recommended for all women over 50 and men over 70. If reduced bone density is detected, consultation with an osteoporosis specialist is necessary to determine further steps, including treatment or monitoring.
Osteoporosis is preventable and treatable, but unfortunately, only a small percentage of patients at high risk of fractures receive appropriate treatment. Studies show that by age 75, more than half of women have osteoporosis, with an average T-score of -2.5 in the cervical spine.
The risk of osteoporotic fractures increases with age in both men and women. In Western Europe, at age 45, the lifetime risk of an osteoporotic fracture is 47.3% for women and 23.8% for men. Around the year 2000, approximately 9 million osteoporosis-related fractures were recorded worldwide (35% in Europe). In Italy, about 18.5% of women and 10% of men have osteoporosis, with projections indicating an increase to 25% over the next 20 years.
The primary cause of fractures is reduced bone density, affecting bone quality (geometry, microstructure, and composition). Many factors influence bone density, including gender, calcium intake, physical activity, menopause onset, fall risk (e.g., due to disability), alcohol consumption, environmental factors, medication use (such as benzodiazepines and diuretics), age, smoking, low body weight, and vitamin D deficiency.
To assess fracture risk, various diagnostic algorithms have been developed, including the Garvan Calculator, QFracture, and FRAX tools, which estimate the 10-year probability of osteoporotic fractures based on national epidemiological data.
Each country should develop preventive measures to reduce osteoporosis and fracture risk, ensuring long-term cooperation between patients and healthcare professionals, particularly for those with multiple comorbidities.
Key prevention strategies include education on nutrition, promoting physical activity, and lifestyle changes (adequate sun exposure, smoking cessation, reducing alcohol consumption, and fall risk assessment). Proper nutrition is essential for osteoporosis prevention, with success depending on adequate daily intake of vitamin D, calcium, and protein.
To minimize osteoporotic fractures, many countries have implemented preventive and educational programs focused on diagnosis and treatment. Most programs target patients with prior fractures to prevent recurrence.
Knowledge about osteoporosis, its prevention, and fall risk reduction is fundamental to bone health. The more informed the patient, the better their adherence to preventive and treatment measures. In Latvia, the understanding of osteoporosis and its prevention has significantly improved over the past decade among both healthcare professionals and the public. Educational and physical activity programs have changed calcium and vitamin D intake habits among seniors.
Important! When visiting a specialist, patients should bring all relevant medical records, test results, and a list of medications they are taking. This helps the doctor assess the situation and determine the best treatment plan, which may include osteodensitometry (bone density measurement), blood tests for vitamin D and calcium levels, and liver and kidney function tests.
Both insurance-covered and paid services are available.
