Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2010 , Vol 13, Issue 2
SHOULD WE EVALUATE ALL PATIENTS IN MEDICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT FOR OSTEOPOROSIS?
Gülbin AYGENCEL
Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı Yoğun Bakım Bilim Dalı ANKARA The prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing with aging of the world population. While dealing with numerous vital problems of the patients in intensive care units (ICUs), ICU physicians ignore the presence or treatment of osteoporosis. However, as reported here osteoporosis may sometimes have serious consequences.

An 86 year old male patient was accepted to our ICU due to acute severe hypercapnic respiratory failure, pneumonia and urinary tract infection. During the hospitalization period, a “humeral fracture”, unrelated to any traumatic incidents, was observed. Following this spontaneous fracture, bone mineral density of the patient was measured. T score on femoral neck was -4.53 SD and T score on lumbar vertebra was -3.19SD.

Osteoporosis may occur in all populations and at all ages. To address undetected and untreated osteoporosis among men and women, public health education should involve both sexes. Not only the public, but also the doctors should be educated about osteoporosis. Keywords : Osteoporosis; Intensive care unit