EPIDEMIOLOGY, RISK FACTORS AND DIAGNOSTIC METHODS OF OSTEOPOROSIS. LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Relevance: The problem of osteoporosis is increasing due to the increase in the population average life expectancy. The incidence of osteoporosis and other degenerative musculoskeletal diseases is expected to continue to increase. The high prevalence of osteoporosis, especially in the presence of fractures, entails high medical and non-medical economic costs in the management of these patients, which determines the importance of this problem for the world health care. Objective: To review current and relevant studies on the epidemiology, risk factors and diagnosis of osteoporosis. Search Strategy: This review article analyzes the literature on the epidemiology of osteoporosis, risk factors for its development, and diagnostic methods used to detect this disease. A search was conducted using scientific databases and specialized search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science for the last 13 years. The inclusion criteria were original articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses in English and Russian. As a result, 67 literature sources were selected for critical appraisal. Results and Conclusions: Analysis of available literature data showed different prevalence of osteoporosis depending on geographical location: Iran - 49%, Italy - 18.7%, China - 13%, USA-11%. Osteoporosis risk factors can be either modifiable or non-modifiable. The most common osteoporosis risk factors have been found to be decreased vitamin D, reproductive disorders, as well as endocrine pathology, gastrointestinal diseases, and other osteoporosis-associated conditions. Among risk factors, there is little data on the influence of radiation on the development and progression of osteoporosis, although for some regions of the world this factor is significant, due to the activities of nuclear test sites, the consequences of man-made disasters with radiation leakage into the environment. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of osteoporosis and is also preferred for determining the efficacy of osteoporosis therapy.