Osteopenia is silently weakening bones in millions of people
Key takeaways
- Around 40% of adults worldwide are affected by osteopenia: a loss of bone mineral density.
- Osteopenia itself does not usually cause symptoms and it develops silently over time.
- Bone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes continuous renewal through a process called bone remodeling.
Why this matters: new research or scientific developments with potential real-world impact.
Around 40% of adults worldwide are affected by osteopenia: a loss of bone mineral density. This condition is extremely common particularly in postmenopausal women and elderly adults. It s estimated that more than 500,000 fractures occur annually in the UK due to low bone density.
Osteopenia itself does not usually cause symptoms and it develops silently over time. Many people may not even be aware that they have the condition until they have experienced a fracture or had a bone density test, typically recommended because of risk factors such as age and menopause. This makes osteopenia a significant but often under-recognized public health issue.
Bone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes continuous renewal through a process called bone remodeling. During this process, old bone is broken down (resorption) and new bone is formed (formation).