Chapter 59 Osteoporosis and osteomalacia
Osteoporosis and osteomalacia are common conditions. Osteoporosis is a decrease in the mass of bone in the presence of normal mineralization, whereas osteomalacia is deficient mineralization of bone (Fig. 3.59.1).
Osteoporosis
Aetiology
Age-related osteoporosis
The pathophysiology of age-related osteoporosis is not fully understood. However, an important factor determining whether it will become clinical problem in an individual is the peak bone mass. During early adulthood, the total mass of bone in the body reaches a peak (Fig. 3.59.2). After the age of approximately 30, it starts to decline as a predictable ageing phenomenon at a rate of approximately 0.7–1% per year. The total mass of bone in old age is thus a function of the peak bone mass that was achieved in early adulthood. Consequently, regular exercise before age 30 can protect against osteoporosis in later life by increasing peak bone mass.
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