The epidemiology and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a viewpoint from Brazil
Luiz Francisco Baccaro,1 Délio Marques Conde,2 Lúcia Costa-Paiva,1 Aarão Mendes Pinto-Neto11Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Breast Clinic, Hospital for Maternal and Child Healthcare, Goi&a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2015-03-01
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| Series: | Clinical Interventions in Aging |
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| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/the-epidemiology-and-management-of-postmenopausal-osteoporosis-a-viewp-peer-reviewed-article-CIA |
| _version_ | 1818345992925216768 |
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| author | Baccaro LF Conde DM Costa-Paiva L Pinto-Neto AM |
| author_facet | Baccaro LF Conde DM Costa-Paiva L Pinto-Neto AM |
| author_sort | Baccaro LF |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Luiz Francisco Baccaro,1 Délio Marques Conde,2 Lúcia Costa-Paiva,1 Aarão Mendes Pinto-Neto11Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Breast Clinic, Hospital for Maternal and Child Healthcare, Goiânia, Goiás, BrazilAbstract: Brazil has an aging population, with an associated increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is of particular concern because it leads to an increased risk of fractures, with subsequent negative impacts on health in older women. In recent years, efforts have been made to better understand the epidemiology of osteoporosis in Brazil, and to manage both direct and indirect costs to the Brazilian health care system. The reported prevalence of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women in Brazil varies from 15% to 33%, depending on the study methodology and the use of bone densitometry data or self-reporting by participants. A diagnosis of osteoporosis can be made on the basis of fractures occurring without significant trauma or on the basis of low bone mineral density measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. To reduce the risk of osteoporosis, all postmenopausal women should be encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes physical activity and a balanced diet. Smoking and alcohol use should also be addressed. Special attention should be given to interventions to reduce the risk of falls, especially among older women. Calcium intake should be encouraged, preferably through diet. The decision to recommend calcium supplementation should be made individually because there is concern about a possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with this treatment. Brazilian women obtain a minimal amount of vitamin D from their diet, and supplementation is warranted in women with little exposure to solar ultraviolet-B radiation. For women diagnosed with osteoporosis, some form of pharmacologic therapy should be initiated. Compliance with treatment should be monitored, and the treatment period should be individualized for each patient. The Brazilian government provides medication for osteoporosis through the public health system free of charge, but without proper epidemiological knowledge, the implementation of public health programs is impaired.Keywords: menopause, public health, preventive medicine, risk factors, disease management |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T17:11:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5b9595c6a4174e359a09129253dbaf0e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1178-1998 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T17:11:11Z |
| publishDate | 2015-03-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Clinical Interventions in Aging |
| spelling | doaj.art-5b9595c6a4174e359a09129253dbaf0e2022-12-21T23:37:32ZengDove Medical PressClinical Interventions in Aging1178-19982015-03-01Volume 1058359120949The epidemiology and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a viewpoint from BrazilBaccaro LFConde DMCosta-Paiva LPinto-Neto AMLuiz Francisco Baccaro,1 Délio Marques Conde,2 Lúcia Costa-Paiva,1 Aarão Mendes Pinto-Neto11Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Breast Clinic, Hospital for Maternal and Child Healthcare, Goiânia, Goiás, BrazilAbstract: Brazil has an aging population, with an associated increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is of particular concern because it leads to an increased risk of fractures, with subsequent negative impacts on health in older women. In recent years, efforts have been made to better understand the epidemiology of osteoporosis in Brazil, and to manage both direct and indirect costs to the Brazilian health care system. The reported prevalence of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women in Brazil varies from 15% to 33%, depending on the study methodology and the use of bone densitometry data or self-reporting by participants. A diagnosis of osteoporosis can be made on the basis of fractures occurring without significant trauma or on the basis of low bone mineral density measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. To reduce the risk of osteoporosis, all postmenopausal women should be encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes physical activity and a balanced diet. Smoking and alcohol use should also be addressed. Special attention should be given to interventions to reduce the risk of falls, especially among older women. Calcium intake should be encouraged, preferably through diet. The decision to recommend calcium supplementation should be made individually because there is concern about a possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with this treatment. Brazilian women obtain a minimal amount of vitamin D from their diet, and supplementation is warranted in women with little exposure to solar ultraviolet-B radiation. For women diagnosed with osteoporosis, some form of pharmacologic therapy should be initiated. Compliance with treatment should be monitored, and the treatment period should be individualized for each patient. The Brazilian government provides medication for osteoporosis through the public health system free of charge, but without proper epidemiological knowledge, the implementation of public health programs is impaired.Keywords: menopause, public health, preventive medicine, risk factors, disease managementhttps://www.dovepress.com/the-epidemiology-and-management-of-postmenopausal-osteoporosis-a-viewp-peer-reviewed-article-CIAOsteoporosisPostmenopausalEpidemiologyRisk FactorsDisease Management |
| spellingShingle | Baccaro LF Conde DM Costa-Paiva L Pinto-Neto AM The epidemiology and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a viewpoint from Brazil Clinical Interventions in Aging Osteoporosis Postmenopausal Epidemiology Risk Factors Disease Management |
| title | The epidemiology and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a viewpoint from Brazil |
| title_full | The epidemiology and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a viewpoint from Brazil |
| title_fullStr | The epidemiology and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a viewpoint from Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | The epidemiology and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a viewpoint from Brazil |
| title_short | The epidemiology and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a viewpoint from Brazil |
| title_sort | epidemiology and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis a viewpoint from brazil |
| topic | Osteoporosis Postmenopausal Epidemiology Risk Factors Disease Management |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/the-epidemiology-and-management-of-postmenopausal-osteoporosis-a-viewp-peer-reviewed-article-CIA |
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