Core Viewpoint - Osteoporosis is a complex condition not solely caused by calcium deficiency, but rather a combination of decreased bone mineral content and quality, leading to increased fracture risk [2][3] Epidemiology - The prevalence of osteoporosis in individuals over 50 years old in China is 19.2%, with women at 32.1% and men at 6.9%. For those over 65, the prevalence rises to 32.0%, with women at 51.6% and men at 10.7% [3] - Approximately 90 million people in China are estimated to suffer from osteoporosis, with around 70 million being women, particularly postmenopausal women [3] Risk Factors - Non-controllable risk factors include aging, menopause in women, and family history of fragility fractures [5] - Controllable risk factors encompass unhealthy lifestyles, diseases affecting bone metabolism, and certain medications [6] Calcium and Vitamin D - Calcium supplementation must be paired with Vitamin D to enhance absorption; without Vitamin D, calcium intake may not be effectively utilized by the body [7][9] - Vitamin D synthesis requires sunlight exposure, and dietary sources are limited, making supplementation necessary for high-risk groups [9] Diagnosis and Screening - The gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis is the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, with a T-score of ≤ -2.5 indicating osteoporosis [10][11] - Screening is recommended for women aged 65 and older and men aged 70 and older, with earlier screening for those with specific risk factors [12] Symptoms and Public Awareness - Osteoporosis is often asymptomatic in early stages, leading to a lack of awareness until a fracture occurs [13] - Common misconceptions include equating osteoporosis solely with calcium deficiency and believing it only affects the elderly [13]

Core Viewpoint - Osteoporosis is a complex condition not solely caused by calcium deficiency, but rather a combination of decreased bone mineral content and quality, leading to increased fracture risk [2][3] Group 1: Understanding Osteoporosis - Osteoporosis is characterized by a reduction in both bone mineral content and bone quality, which together lower bone strength and increase fragility [2] - The prevalence of osteoporosis in individuals over 50 years old is 19.2%, with women at 32.1% and men at 6.9%. For those over 65, the prevalence rises to 32.0%, with women at 51.6% and men at 10.7% [3] Group 2: Risk Factors - Risk factors for osteoporosis are categorized into uncontrollable factors such as age, menopause, and family history of fractures [5] - Controllable factors include unhealthy lifestyles, diseases affecting bone metabolism, and certain medications [6] Group 3: Calcium and Vitamin D - Many individuals supplement calcium but still experience bone density loss, indicating that calcium deficiency is more accurately described as a decrease in bone mineral content [7][8] - Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, acting as a "navigator" to facilitate calcium uptake in the intestines [9] Group 4: Diagnosis and Screening - The gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis is the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, which measures bone density [10] - It is recommended that women over 65 and men over 70 undergo routine bone density screening, with earlier screening for those with risk factors [12] Group 5: Public Awareness and Misconceptions - Osteoporosis is often referred to as a "silent disease" due to the lack of symptoms in early stages, leading to potential fractures from minor incidents [13] - Common misconceptions include the belief that osteoporosis is solely a calcium deficiency or that it only affects the elderly, which can delay necessary interventions [13]