Name three major risk factors for low bone mass and fracture in postmenopausal women.

Name three major risk factors for low bone mass and fracture in postmenopausal women.

• A. Advanced age, prior fragility fracture, and glucocorticoid use
• B. High BMI, regular exercise, and calcium supplementation
• C. Young age, prior hip fracture, and high estrogen
• D. Vitamin C deficiency, skin aging, and hair loss

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is identifying factors that truly raise the likelihood of low bone mass and fractures in women after menopause. The strongest three are advanced age, a history of fragility fractures, and glucocorticoid use. Advanced age naturally brings ongoing bone loss and deterioration of bone microarchitecture, so bones become more fragile over time and the chance of breaking increases. A prior fragility fracture is a powerful predictor of future fractures because it already shows that the skeleton is fragile and prone to breaking even with minimal trauma. Glucocorticoid use is a well-known cause of secondary osteoporosis: steroids blunt bone formation, increase bone resorption, and disrupt calcium balance, all accelerating bone loss and fracture risk. The other options don’t fit as major risk factors. A high BMI, regular exercise, and calcium supplementation are generally protective for bone health. Young age and high estrogen are protective rather than risk factors, and while a prior fracture can be a risk factor, the rest of that option doesn’t align with the strongest drivers of fracture risk. Vitamin C deficiency, skin aging, and hair loss are not established major contributors to low bone mass or fracture risk in this context.

The main idea here is identifying factors that truly raise the likelihood of low bone mass and fractures in women after menopause. The strongest three are advanced age, a history of fragility fractures, and glucocorticoid use.

Advanced age naturally brings ongoing bone loss and deterioration of bone microarchitecture, so bones become more fragile over time and the chance of breaking increases. A prior fragility fracture is a powerful predictor of future fractures because it already shows that the skeleton is fragile and prone to breaking even with minimal trauma. Glucocorticoid use is a well-known cause of secondary osteoporosis: steroids blunt bone formation, increase bone resorption, and disrupt calcium balance, all accelerating bone loss and fracture risk.

The other options don’t fit as major risk factors. A high BMI, regular exercise, and calcium supplementation are generally protective for bone health. Young age and high estrogen are protective rather than risk factors, and while a prior fracture can be a risk factor, the rest of that option doesn’t align with the strongest drivers of fracture risk. Vitamin C deficiency, skin aging, and hair loss are not established major contributors to low bone mass or fracture risk in this context.