Osteoporosis Research Papers

Osteoporosis is a disease that is continuing to increase in numbers; as a result, the cost of care for individuals with the disease is also increasing. In 2005, seventeen billion dollars were spent to care for osteoporosis injuries. It is projected by 2050 that individuals over sixty-five years of age will increase from thirty-two million to sixty-nine million in the United States (AACE, 2010). Therefore more individuals will develop osteoporosis with age. From 2005 to 2025, with increasing age, estimated costs are expected to rise from seventeen billion dollars to twenty-five billion dollars (AACE, 2010). With outstanding projected figures, efforts to reverse the economical stance are focused on screenings, prevention, diagnosing, and treatment.

In addition to financial cost, osteoporosis is a burdensome disease because it often results in injury, which leads to immobility, depression, and infection risk. Considering the targeted population for osteoporosis, immobility is very debilitating because it affects activities of daily living. When individuals are positions where they are unable to care for themselves, they are at risk for depression. Often times, elderly individuals lack family support when they need assistance at home. With a lack of help available, individuals are placed in nursing homes or left alone to struggle independently. When individuals are victims to fractures, hospital visits are sometimes required in the event surgery is performed. Considering the age of most patients, they are susceptible to infections if not properly cared for after surgery.

Therapeutic Approach to Promote Health and Wellness

When caring for women that are high risk for osteoporosis, it is important to be aware of screenings...

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...eaching is very important. Patients should be educated on the duration of therapy based on the severity of osteoporosis. If taking biphosphonates for mild osteoporosis, treatment should be discontinued after four to five years of stability (AACE, 2010). If risk is high, discontinue use for one to two years after ten years of therapy (AACE, 2010). Contraindications for biphosphonates should be explained because they are associated with reflux and esophageal ulceration (AAFP, 2009). APRN should also educate that oral bisphosphonates should be taken with a full glass of water (AAFP, 2009). It is important to have patients wait 30-45 minutes before resuming meals to prevent upper gastrointestinal adverse effects (AAFP, 2009). For individuals who are non-compliant, the APRN can suggest intravenous medications such as zoledronic acid or ibandronate (AAFP, 2009).