LEARNING OUTCOMES When this Unit has been completed you should be able to: define osteoporosis and estimate its prevalence explain how bone mass relates to age, gender, and the risk of fracture distinguish osteoporosis from osteopenia explain how bone mineral density is quantified distinguish between primary and secondary osteoporosis and list the medical conditions that can lead to bone demineralization list the therapeutic agents that affect bone turnover and describe their clinical pharmacology explain how to decide when treatment for osteoporosis is indicated and what measures should be taken once the decision to treat has been made list the four principles involved in preventing osteoporosis explain how to target the use of hormone replacement therapy to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women