Resumo

SALAZAR MADRIGAL, Kenneth. Ostheoporosis: a major public health problem. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2008, vol.17, n.32, pp.75-79. ISSN 1409-1429.

It is not new for the epidemiological community the fact that the world’s population is aging. The socio-economic impact which public health will face could be devastating if chronic disorders in the elderly population are not prevented. Therefore, the following review of the literature emphasizes prevention and prophylactic treatments for complications of ostheoporosis, since it is estimated that 40% of white women over age 50 will suffer at least one fracture as a result of the disease. Currently, progress in both diagnosis and treatment of ostheoporosis has allowed the development of new drugs. They possess a greater fracture prevention capacity and less side effects. It is here where the medical staff in primary care should not only detect and treat possible cases, but must incorporate prevention as a cornerstone to this large and growing public health problem in the world.

Palavras-chave : Ostheoporosis; fracture; postmenopause; bone densitometry.

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