VERTEBRAL AND PERIPHERAL FRACTURES: DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS AND MEDICO-SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE

Medico-social significance of osteoporosis is determined by the high frequency of low-traumatic fractures of bone. According to the European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study the prevalence of vertebral fractures was 11,5% in women of 50-54 years of age and reached 34.8% in women of 75-79. The only prospective population-based study conducted in Russia have showed that the incidence of new vertebral fractures was 5,9% in men and 9,9% in women over 50. Stratified epidemiologic study conducted in St. Petersburg, have showed that in men the peak of clinical fractures, developed with minimal trauma, was at the age of 20-24 and 65-69. In women the peak of fractures was determined at the ages 50-54 years. It has been suggested that early administration of antiosteoporotic drugs can effectively prevent vertebral and peripheral fractures.