As per the World Health Organization (WHO), osteoporosis refers to a progressive systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of the bone tissues, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture.
Approximately 536,000 new fragility fractures occur each year, encompassing 79,000 hip fractures, 66,000 clinically diagnosed vertebral fractures, 69,000 forearm fractures and 322,000 other fractures (i.e. fractures of the pelvis, rib,
humerus, tibia, fibula, clavicle, scapula, sternum and other femoral fractures) in the UK alone. Osteoporosis can add more disability-adjusted life years than many other non-communicable diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, breast cancer and prostate cancer.