Osteoporosis in Older Persons: Old and New Players

Abstract

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease in humans. Older persons are at higher risk of osteoporotic fractures that also result in poor quality of life, disability, loss of independence, institutionalization, and higher mortality. Osteoporosis shares a distinct pathophysiologic relationship with sarcopenia, an age-related disease comprising declines in muscle mass, strength, or function. The combination of these two diseases is known as osteosarcopenia. Understanding the pathophysiology of osteosarcopenia, in addition to its diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, is key in providing older adults with the best falls and fractures prevention strategies. This review provides updated information on new discoveries on the combined pathophysiology of osteoporosis and sarcopenia that have led to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. New recommendations for the use of risk calculators and densitometry are also presented in this review as well as evidence on current and upcoming pharmacologic treatments to prevent falls and fractures in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:831-840, 2019.