NY Times on Osteoporosis in Men Save

The NY Times has addressed the problem of osteoporosis in men noting a need for increased awareness and screening.

Some takeaways from the narrative:

• Osteoporosis research, guidelines and screening has largely been based on research in women. 
• About one in five men over age 50 will suffer an osteoporotic fracture 
• In older adults, about a quarter of hip fractures occur in men
• When they do, “men have worse outcomes” based on a recent osteoporosis study in male veterans
• VA study of 3,000 veterans (65 to 85 yrs) only 2% had bone-density screening
• With better managements of heart disease and smoking, more men live into their 70s and 80s adn will be at risk for OP. 
• Endocrine Society and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research recommend that men over 50 who have a risk factor, and all men over 70, should seek OP screening.
  • But the American College of Physicians and the United S. Preventive Services Task Force disagree, noting “insufficient” evidence demonstrating osteoporosis drugs in men can reduce fractures (but men are underrepresented in such trials)
• Osteoporosis is typically asymptomatic, hence it may not be found until a fracture occurs or when screening is used. 
• Risk factors: falls, a family history of hip fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism and Parkinson’s disease. Smoking and excessive alcohol, steroids and prostate cancer drugs, etc.