Mortality, morbidity, and assessment of fracture risk in male osteoporosis

Several studies show that for most clinical fractures the mortality is higher in men than in women, also compared with the general population. However, there are still uncertainties whether this is true for the vertebral deformities. There are few studies comparing men and women but there does not seem to be any difference in morbidity between men and women even though data here are scarce. Several of the risk factors that have been identified in women are also important in men. However, there are problems comparing men and women, such as recreational activity, where men have more strenuous activities. The same for alcohol intake and for BMD. Larger studies in men are needed. At present there are no diagnosis or intervention thresholds for men. Indication thresholds should be determined for those who have a high risk of fractures and should be based on a combination of risk factors in which bone mineral density (BMD) is the most important. This review of papers has dealt with women and men within the same study to compare differences or similarities.