Overall, osteoporosis was associated with a 1.2-fold increase in the risk of dementia diagnosis in women and a 1.3-fold increase in men.
Our study found that bone loss indeed already occurs before dementia and thus is linked to a higher risk of dementia." "Previous research has found factors like diet and exercise may impact bones differently as well as the risk of dementia," Ikram added.
: Patients with osteoporosis are at increased risk of cognitive impairment, and osteoporosis intervention could prevent or delay the onset of cognitive impairment for those at risk.
People who have low bone density may have an increased risk of developing dementia compared to people who have higher bone density. The study does not prove that low bone density causes dementia. It only shows an association.
Bone fractures, particularly in the spine or hip, are the most serious complications of osteoporosis. Hip fractures often are caused by a fall and can result in disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year after the injury.
Men who began treatment at age 50 had a life expectancy of 18.2 years, while the life expectancy for a man beginning treatment at 75 was an average of 7.5 years. For women, the figure was 26.4 years for those beginning treatment at 50 and 13.5 years for those beginning treatment at 75.
Stage 4 is the most severe stage of osteoporosis. The risk of bone fracture is higher, and the individual may also start having symptoms. Severe bone loss can lead to noticeable changes in a person's spine, such as height loss or stooped posture.
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia, and patients with AD often have profound changes in body composition as the disease progresses1, including the observed association between AD, osteoporosis, and greater fracture risk2, 3.
The risk of osteoporosis in Alzheimer's disease
AD is also considered a risk factor for osteoporosis. Previous studies have shown that patients with AD have a reduced level of hip BMD and a nearly 2-fold risk of hip fracture [17,18].
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is called a “silent” disease” because there are typically no symptoms until a bone is broken. Symptoms of vertebral (spine) fracture include severe back pain, loss of height, or spine malformations such as a stooped or hunched posture (kyphosis).
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes weak, thinning bones. This leaves the bones at greater risk of breaking. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists. Women are 4 times more likely to get osteoporosis than men because of a decrease in estrogen after menopause.
The long-term effects of osteoporosis include a progressive loss of bone density, resulting in a higher risk of broken bones. Bone loss leads to fractures or fissures, which cause pain and other symptoms depending on the site.
Osteoporosis can also cause both social consequences and psychological difficulties for patients with this disease: loss of social roles, failure in social reciprocity, social isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, reduced self-worth, and hopelessness.
In a prospective cohort study, we assessed effects of Vitamin D on dementia incidence in 12,388 participants from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center dataset. Vitamin D exposure was associated with 40% lower dementia incidence versus no exposure.
From about age 25 to age 50, bone density tends to stay stable with equal amounts of bone formation and bone breakdown. After age 50, bone breakdown (resorption) outpaces bone formation and bone loss often accelerates, particularly at the time of menopause.
People with osteoporosis also have a harder time recovering from broken bones, which can sometimes cause pain that does not go away. Broken hip and spine bones are especially serious, as these injuries can cause older adults to lose their mobility and independence.
While anorexia nervosa is the psychiatric disorder that is most regularly associated with osteoporosis, major depression, a much more common disorder, is also associated with low bone mass and an increased risk of fracture (Coelho, Silva et al.
Osteoporosis can cause painful and debilitating broken bones called fragility fractures. These fractures can compromise a person's ability to walk, cause deformities and loss of height, and significantly lower quality of life.
The risk of developing Alzheimer's or vascular dementia appears to be increased by many conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels. These include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Work with your doctor to monitor your heart health and treat any problems that arise.
Osteoporosis does not directly affect life expectancy. However, it increases the risk of fractures, which may directly affect overall health and mortality.
Activities such as jumping, running or jogging can lead to fractures in weakened bones. Avoid jerky, rapid movements in general. Choose exercises with slow, controlled movements.
Without any intervention, osteoporosis can progress to stage four. During this stage the effects of significant bone loss become visible. Softening of the bones and accumulated fragility fractures, especially in the spine, results in deformity.