| Osteoporosis is a major health issue today in countries with an increasing
ageing population. Many different health care professionals are involved
in the care of patients with osteoporosis, and access to up-to-date knowledge
about the disease has often been difficult. This book is intended as
a reference source for the many people who treat patients with (or at
risk of developing) osteoporosis; it pulls together much of the current
literature and best practice.
The book is structured in a logical format. Discussion of the physiology
and epidemiology of the disease, and definition of the different categories
of osteoporosis form the first chapter. Risk factors and conditions which
predispose to osteoporosis are clearly described. There is much discussion
of the prevention of osteoporosis. Benefits in reducing modifiable risk
factors are debated at length throughout the book.
Radiological techniques used currently for diagnosis and monitoring of
the condition, and important biochemical markers are
explained, together with the limitations regarding their use. Photographs
showing radiological images of osteoporotic bone would have added a useful
extra dimension to this chapter.
Pharmaceutical prevention and treatment of the disease is covered in
detail over several chapters. Information about the drugs is comprehensive;
the advantages and disadvantages of different therapies are discussed
fully. Potential future drugs are also discussed; but there is no mention
of teriparatide (recombinant parathyroid hormone), which is now licensed
for treatment of established osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Information
is given regarding drugs which can induce osteoporosis and those which
can contribute to falls (and hence possible fractures).
The concluding chapters debate the future management of osteoporosis;
screening programmes and the pharmaceutical care of osteoporotic patients
is discussed in depth.
This book is a useful reference source which should be of benefit to
health care professionals with an interest in osteoporosis. The chapters
are well-referenced, allowing areas of specific interest to be explored
in more detail.
Elizabeth Thomas
|
The
Pharmaceutical Journal