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Abstract

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease that is characterised by reduced bone mass resulting in a propensity to fractures. These fractures can decrease a patient’s quality of life through fracture-related pain, interventions to treat fractures and subsequent loss of independence. Treatment and management of osteoporosis and its consequences are a significant financial burden on the NHS. This article will discuss how to identify those at risk of osteoporosis, how to assess this risk and what actions to take based on current national and international guidelines.

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