Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: Therapy options across a wide range of risk for fracture

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing individuals to an increased risk of fractures. Fractures related to osteoporosis are frequently associated with chronic pain and decreased quality of life, as well as significant morbidity and mortality. Postmenopausal women are at higher risk for developing osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures. Osteoporotic fractures are commonly asymptomatic, necessitating a need for proactive screening, diagnostic testing, and more importantly, therapeutic intervention that will rapidly reduce the risk of fractures in at-risk patients. Current pharmacologic prevention and treatment options for osteoporosis include antiresorptive therapies (alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, raloxifene, hormone therapy, and calcitonin) and the anabolic agent teriparatide.