Which condition is characterized by low bone mineral density and is common in older women?

Which condition is characterized by low bone mineral density and is common in older women?

• A. Osteoporosis
• B. Osteoarthritis
• C. Osteomalacia
• D. Rickets

Answer: (A)

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density and occurs most commonly in older women, particularly after menopause when estrogen levels decline and bone loss accelerates. This combination leads to fragile bones that are more prone to fractures with minor trauma. The other conditions differ in their primary issues: osteoarthritis affects joints and cartilage, not overall bone density; osteomalacia involves softening of bone from vitamin D deficiency and presents with bone pain and muscle weakness; rickets is a pediatric disorder of bone mineralization. So the pattern of reduced bone density in an older woman points most clearly to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density and occurs most commonly in older women, particularly after menopause when estrogen levels decline and bone loss accelerates. This combination leads to fragile bones that are more prone to fractures with minor trauma. The other conditions differ in their primary issues: osteoarthritis affects joints and cartilage, not overall bone density; osteomalacia involves softening of bone from vitamin D deficiency and presents with bone pain and muscle weakness; rickets is a pediatric disorder of bone mineralization. So the pattern of reduced bone density in an older woman points most clearly to osteoporosis.