Two Genes Raising the Risk of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that decrease bone density. It is a condition that causes bone to become weakens cause bone cells lost than replaced when people age. This cause bone to be prone to injury from minor fall, sneezing or bumping into furniture, or even from simple movements. Osteoporosis is very common, especially in women. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for the disease. About 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Some individuals are not diagnosed until something they are injured and fracture/break their bones. Osteoporosis can be due to genetics and environmental factors.

In London, British researchers have identified two common genetic mutations that increase the risk of osteoporosis and other bone fractures. According to Tim Spector and Brent Richards, researchers at King’s College London argues, “Eventually, a panel of genetic markers could be used in addition to environmental risk factors to identify individuals who are most at risk for osteoporotic fractures.” The mutation is likely to be found in chromosome 8 and 11. If the there is a change in chromosome 11, there is about a 30 percent increased risk of the condition. On the other hand, individuals with changes in chromosome 8 run a 20 percent risk. In addition, individuals with both changes, their risk increase by 30 percent. The discovery of the two genes will become important for researchers in developing treatment for osteoporosis.

“These genes can be measured with near perfection and without bias years before the age at which fractures tend to occur – which could provide ample lead-time for preventative measures,” the researchers wrote. This is a major step into understanding the basic cause of that cause osteoporosis. There are treatments available, but none that will cure the condition. Lifestyle changes and medications can slow down the process and help increase bone mass to cut the risk of fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Therefore, it is important to get screen and start treatments.

 Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/science/bones.html?_r=0