Osteoporotic fractures: mortality and quality of life.

Osteoporosis is a widespread disease, affecting about 75 million people, mostly postmenopausal women. It is called ''the silent disease'', since there are very few associated symptoms: anyway osteoporotic fractures are the chief clinical feature, with an enormous burden on health related quality of life and mortality. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the evaluation of mortality and health related quality of life as consequences of osteoporotic fractures. Fractures, the clinical manifestation of osteoporosis, are extremely common and are devastating both to affected patients and to society that must bear the enormous cost of fracture treatment and subsequent disability. Hip and spine fractures are linked with increased mortality, and all fractures may lead to disability and reduced quality of life. Since patients with osteoporosis usually have no symptoms before fracture, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease are of great importance to the quality of life in these patients. To reduce mortality, attention must focus on optimising health status preoperatively, preventing postoperative complications, and, when these complications develop, providing optimal specialist medical care.