How is osteoporosis defined?

How is osteoporosis defined?

• A. A disease of the joints causing cartilage loss.
• B. A metabolic syndrome affecting calcium absorption.
• C. A condition of increased bone density leading to brittleness.
• D. A skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing to fracture.

Answer: (D)

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder where bone strength is compromised, predisposing to fracture. Bone strength comes from both bone density and bone quality; in osteoporosis, there is reduced bone mass and deterioration of bone microarchitecture, making bones unusually fragile and prone to break with minor trauma. This definition centers on the key outcome—fracture risk—rather than joint cartilage health or calcium absorption problems, and it contrasts with other conditions such as osteoarthritis (cartilage loss) or osteopetrosis (excessively dense, brittle bones). Diagnosis often involves bone density testing (DEXA) showing a low T-score, typically ≤ -2.5.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder where bone strength is compromised, predisposing to fracture. Bone strength comes from both bone density and bone quality; in osteoporosis, there is reduced bone mass and deterioration of bone microarchitecture, making bones unusually fragile and prone to break with minor trauma. This definition centers on the key outcome—fracture risk—rather than joint cartilage health or calcium absorption problems, and it contrasts with other conditions such as osteoarthritis (cartilage loss) or osteopetrosis (excessively dense, brittle bones). Diagnosis often involves bone density testing (DEXA) showing a low T-score, typically ≤ -2.5.