Abstract
Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease in humans. With its related fragility fracture, it represents a major public health problem in our region, with a significant medical and socio-economic burden. The high prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency, the increase in life expectancy, the low socioeconomic level and the significant restriction to access to health care in some countries represent the major causes for the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence of fragility fractures in the Arabic countries. Bone mineral density (BMD) assessment is the gold standard to diagnose osteoporosis. However, a clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis may be made in the presence of a fragility fracture, without BMD measurement. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the preferred method for screening bone mineral density. For screening site of measurement, DXA of hip and spine is suggested. BMD assessment is recommended in all women 65 years of age and older and men 70 and older regardless of risk factors. Younger subjects with clinical risk factors and persons with clinical evidence of osteoporosis or diseases leading to osteoporosis should also be screened. These guidelines are aimed to provide to health care professionals in the region of an updated process for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. It includes risk factors for osteoporosis and the indications for screening, diagnosis of osteoporosis, treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal and premenopausal women, and men; in addition to prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.