Predisposing factors for osteoporosis.
1. During case presentation at your clinic, you are reviewing four women with predisposing factors for osteoporosis. Which patient is least likely to be at risk for osteoporosis?
A. Nehineza, an overweight African American female with family history of uterine cancer
B. Cristina, a Hispanic woman living a sedentary life
C. Park-Gim-Ka, an underweight Asian woman with a history of tobacco use
D. Skylar, a Caucasian woman experiencing early onset of menopause.
2. Densitometry results are given as T-scores, which values would be considered as osteopenia?
3. After prompt analysis of your patient, you decide to institute treatment for osteoporosis. Which class medication is considered as the first-line treatment? Are there any considerations to be taken prior starting therapy? Which recommendations would you provide to the patient regarding this treatment?
Sample Solution
Based on the information provided, Skylar would be the least likely to be at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and brittle due to a loss of bone density (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Risk factors for developing this disease can include early onset of menopause, as is the case with Skylar; however there are other more significant influencing factors that must also be taken into consideration.
Nehineza’s condition places her at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis due to her family history of uterine cancer as well as being overweight (Lau et al., 2016). Obesity has been linked with an increased risk of this condition due to its effect on hormones, specifically estrogen which helps regulate bone formation in women (Lau et al., 2016).
Cristina’s sedentary lifestyle could also potentially increase her chances of having low bone density since physical activity has been shown to help improve or maintain healthy levels (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Park-Gim-Ka may also face an elevated risk because she is underweight and smokes tobacco both of which have been found to adversely affect bone health (Bukar et al., 2017; Mayo Clinic, 2018).
Overall, these predisposing conditions should all be evaluated carefully when determining who is most likely to develop osteoporosis. There are many variables that influence someone’s chance of having low bone density so it is important not just identify them but understand how they interact with one another before making any conclusions.
