Adverse Health Outcomes in Men with Osteoporosis
The evidence about men and osteoporosis has changed over the last 30 years. Recent data suggest that at least 20% of people with osteoporosis are men. That means that 2 million men or more already have osteoporosis and another 12 million are at risk of the disease. As life expectancy in the USA continues to rise, osteoporosis prevalence in men will increase. In light of these changing demographics, a better understanding of the incidence and gender-specific consequences of osteoporosis in men is needed. This chapter reviews research findings from the last decade that specifically illuminate the adverse outcomes of osteoporosis and consequent fractures in men. These outcomes include, but are not limited to, physical morbidity, psychosocial outcomes (including health-related quality of life) and mortality. Although the empirical evidence about men and their osteoporosis outcomes is somewhat limited, some recent studies have begun to help researchers understand what happens when men with osteoporosis experience fractures. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
