Osteoporosis is characterized by reduced bone mass and alteration in bone architecture, resulting in increased fracture risk. These fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women and impose a huge economic burden on health services. Oestrogen deficiency plays a major role in the pathogenesis of bone loss and fracture in women. Other pathogenetic factors include reduced physical activity and vitamin D insufficiency. Several osteoporosis risk-factor screening tools have been developed to identify women at increased risk of low bone mineral density. A range of options is available for the prevention of fractures in high risk postmenopausal women and management of osteoprosis. These include the hormonal therapy, bisphosphonates, strontium ranelate, raloxifene and parathyroid hormone peptides, daily intake of calcium and vit D. Because of their broad spectrum of demonstrated anti-fracture efficacy, alendronate, risedronate, calcitonine and strontium ranelate are generally considered as the first line therapies for most of the women. The optimum duration of treatment for postmenopausal osteoprotic patients has not been established but the re-evaluation of risk and the need for continued therapy should be determined for these women in clinical settings. The compliance and persistence with long-term osteoporosis treatment is generally poor but may be improved by different dosing regimens. Rehabilitation approaches should be considered as the key components of prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Maintenance of muscle function and balance, as well as daily vit D supplements and calcium intake should also be considered as the main therapies for fracture prevention.

The 2nd ICDDT to be held in Dubai in February 2010 will address all areas related with postmenopausal osteoporosis, concentrating on recent clues in pathophysiology and management strategies at the clinical level. In this session, there will be presentations concerned with the recent advances in pathophsiology of postmenopausal osteoporosis, the screening tools in determining postmenopausal women at the risk of developing osteoporosis, recommendations for prevention and treatment strategies in postmenopausal osteoporosis, adherence to drug treatment in postmenopausal osteoporotic female, patient satisfaction and quality of life in postmenopausal women treated with different groups of drugs, and fall prevention and rehabilitation of osteoporosis. This topic will cover all aspects of postmenopausal osteoporosis and provide a well-informed and productive forum for understanding the basic mechanism of the postmenopausal condition and management approaches based on updated knowledge.