Osteoporosis and low-trauma fracture in men

• Osteoporosis is a significant clinical problem in men. • Roughly 400,000 men in Australia have osteoporosis. About 27% of men aged 60 years will have an osteoporotic fracture during their remaining life. • Mortality and morbidity following osteoporotic fracture may be greater in men than in women. • Secondary causes play a significant role in the development of osteoporosis in men. • Management includes identifying and treating secondary causes of osteoporosis and encouraging adequate calcium and vitamin D intake and regular weightbearing exercise. • Testosterone replacement therapy is recommended for patients with established hypogonadism, but testosterone supplementation of normal ageing men remains controversial. • Pharmacological interventions of proven benefit include bisphosphonates and, in selected patients, teriparatide.