Osteoporosis and Hispanic Women

It is a common misconception that osteoporosis only affects white women. But, according to the Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis, in the United States, the prevalence of osteoporosis in Hispanic women is similar to that in white women. Fortunately, osteoporosis is preventable and treatable. As a Hispanic woman, it is important that you understand your risk for osteoporosis, the steps you can take to protect your bones, and, if you have the disease, the options for treating it.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease characterized by low bone mass and, thus, bones that are susceptible to fracture. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks, typically in the hip, spine, or wrist. A hip fracture can limit mobility and lead to a loss of independence, while vertebral fractures can result in a loss of height, stooped posture, and chronic pain.

What Are the Risk Factors for Osteoporosis?

Risk factors for developing osteoporosis include:

* a thin, small-boned frame
* previous fracture or family history of osteoporotic fracture
* estrogen deficiency resulting from early menopause (before age 45), either naturally, from surgical removal of the ovaries, or as a result of prolonged amenorrhea (abnormal absence of menstruation) in younger women
* advanced age
* a diet low in calcium
* Caucasian and Asian ancestry (African American and Hispanic women are at lower but significant risk)
* cigarette smoking
* excessive use of alcohol
* prolonged use of certain medications, such as those used to treat diseases like lupus, asthma, thyroid deficiencies, and seizures.

Are There Any Special Issues for Hispanic Women Regarding Bone Health?

Several studies indicate a number of facts that highlight the risk Hispanic women face with regard to developing osteoporosis:

* Ten percent of Hispanic women aged 50 and older are estimated to have osteoporosis, and 49 percent are estimated to have bone mass that is low, but not low enough for them to be diagnosed with osteoporosis.
* The incidence of hip fractures among some Hispanic women appears to be on the rise.
* Studies have shown that Hispanic women consume less calcium than the Recommended Dietary Allowance in all age groups.
* Hispanic women are twice as likely to develop diabetes as white women, which may increase their risk for osteoporosis.

How Can Osteoporosis Be Prevented?

Osteoporosis prevention begins in childhood. The recommendations listed below should be followed throughout life to lower your risk of osteoporosis.

* Eat a well-balanced diet adequate in calcium and vitamin D.
* Exercise regularly, with an emphasis on weight-bearing activities such as walking, jogging, dancing, and lifting weights.
* Live a healthy lifestyle. Avoid smoking, and, if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of osteoporosis or other factors that may put you at increased risk for the disease. Your doctor may suggest that you have your bone density measured through a safe and painless test that can determine your risk for fractures (broken bones), and measure your response to osteoporosis treatment. The most widely recognized bone mineral density test is called a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or DXA test. It is painless: a bit like having an x ray, but with much less exposure to radiation. It can measure bone density at your hip and spine.

What Treatments Are Available?

Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are treatments available to help stop further bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures:

* bisphosphonate drugs: alendronate (Fosamax1), alendronate plus vitamin D (Fosamax Plus D), risedronate (Actonel), risedronate with calcium (Actonel with Calcium), and ibandronate (Boniva)
* calcitonin (Miacalcin)
* raloxifene (Evista), a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator
* teriparatide (Forteo), a form of the hormone known as PTH, which is secreted by the parathyroid glands
* estrogen therapy (also called hormone therapy when estrogen and another hormone, progestin, are combined).