| Osteoporosis (OP) is a disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of the bone tissue, which leads to increased bone fragility and consequent risk of bone fractures. In the recent years, along with the population ageing in the society, the number of OP in the elderly is getting more and more. The mechanism of OP in the elderly is associated with low sex hormone level, poor nutritional status, lack of motility, some diseases, etc. Elder OP patients are easy to suffer frangible fractures, which lead to high rate of disability and death. The basic content of diagnosis and treatment on OP in the elderly includes general investigation and health education, appropriate anti-osteoporosis drug selection, and proper therapeutic strategy. The detection of bone turnover markers (BTMs) serves as a basis for selecting anti-osteoporosis drugs. In general, elder osteopenia patients with high BTMs need to choose antiresorptive drugs, such as bisphosphonates and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Those whose BTMs are lower need to take bone anabolic drugs such as the 1-34 fragment of recombinant human parathyroid hormone (teriparatide). It is necessary for elder OP patients to adjust therapeutic plan on the basis of bone mineral density and BTMs variation, and to avoid long-term use of bisphosphonates. |