Current Prevalence by Demographics

 
V.A.1
 

Lead Author(s): 

Nicole C. Wright, PhD, MPH

After adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, the prevalence of osteoporosis at either the femoral neck or lumbar spine is estimated to be 10.3% among adults age 50 years and older, representing more than 10 million people in the United States.1 (Reference Table 5.1 PDF CSV)

Women have higher rates of osteoporosis at either of these two skeletal sites than men in the same age group across all ages: the prevalence of osteoporosis in adults age 50 years and older was 4.3% in men and 15.4% in women. Age is an even greater factor than sex in prevalence rates, particularly among women. Women ages 50 years to 59 years have a prevalence of 6.8%, while the prevalence increases to 34.9% for women age 80 years and older. Men show a similar, but less dramatic increase, with prevalence increasing from 3.4% among those ages 50 years to 59 years to 10.9% among men age 80 years and older. (Reference Table 5.1 PDF CSV)

Prevalence of Osteoporosis by Sex and Age, United States 2005-2010

The prevalence of osteoporosis by race and ethnicity differs somewhat by BMD measurement site. Non-Hispanic Blacks have the lowest prevalence when based on BMD at either the hip or the spine, while Mexican Americans have the highest prevalence. However, when looking at the two skeletal sites separately, the group with the highest prevalence differs. Mexican Americans have the highest prevalence of osteoporosis if based on the lumbar spine BMD alone, but Non-Hispanic Whites have the highest prevalence if based on the femoral neck BMD alone.1 (Reference Table 5.1 PDF CSV)

Prevalence of Osteoporosis by Sex and Race/Ethnicity, United States 2005-2010

 

  • 1. a. b. Wright NC, Looker AC, Saag KG, et al.: The recent prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass in the United States based on bone mineral density at the femoral neck or lumbar spine. JBMR 2014;29(11):2520-2526. DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.2269.

Edition: 

  • 2014

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