Osteoporose hos mænd - Diagnose og behandling

Even when adjustment is made for bone size, men have a higher bone mineral content than women, and this contributes to a lower incidence of fractures among elderly men than among elderly women, Despite this, male osteoporosis is an increasing health concern, and secondary osteoporosis appears to be relatively more common in men than in women. Androgen deficiency causes osteoporosis, and this deficiency is found in 5% to 33% of men presenting with vertebral fractures. These patients should be treated with testosterone substitution, alendronate and calcium with vitamin D. In severe osteoporosis with at least one recent vertebral collapse, treatment with teriparatide may be considered. Men are reimbursed by the national health system for bisphosphonate and teriparatide treatment using the same criteria as for women. Evidence-based diagnostic programmes for male osteoporosis are lacking, and for the time being, evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis in men should be considered a specialist task.