ABSTRACT
In counselling patients about the benefits of pharmacologic therapy or other inter ventions to reduce bone loss and prevent fractures, physicians frequently make reference to the adverse outcomes of osteoporosis. These relate mainly to osteo porotic fractures. H ip and spine fractures are linked to increased mortality, and all fractures may lead to disability and reduced quality of life. Moreover, expenditures on the care o f these fractures are high. This chapter reviews recent reports on the burden of osteoporosis with respect to mortality, morbidity and cost.
