Osteoporosis in Men

Osteoporosis in men is now recognized as an important public health problem, and there is a much greater understanding of the disorder. Older men suffer lower rates of long bone fractures than do women. There is less information concerning vertebral fracture epidemiology in men, but the age-adjusted incidence appears to be high (approximately 50% of that in women). Fractures in men are related to a variety of risk factors. Certainly, skeletal fragility makes fracture more likely. Osteoporosis of unknown etiology can present in men of any age, but its presentation is most dramatic in younger men who are otherwise unlikely to be affected by osteoporosis. In light of the prevalence of osteoporosis and the high incidence of fractures in men, bone mineral density (BMD) measures are performed too infrequently. Bisphosphonate, denosumab and parathyroid hormone (PTH) therapy are effective in increasing BMD in hypogonadal men.