Diagnostics and treatment of osteoporosis in patients over 65 years old : Current status and future perspectives

Only one third of all women with osteoporosis over the age of 65 years are adequately treated; therefore, many experience fractures. For men the data are insufficient. Using a newly developed algorithm and based on the current guidelines, the diagnosis and specific treatment of osteoporosis can be easily set up. The differential treatment should be selected in an individualized approach based on the side effect profile of the specific medication. No statistically significant differences were found between most specific osteoporotic drugs in head-to-head comparisons. This article presents an overview of the currently available pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical forms of treatment as well as approaches with novel medications and interventions for a better control of osteoporosis.