Heredity

How do I know if osteoporosis runs in my family?

Osteoporosis may run in your family if you have close relatives (mother, father, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or siblings) who have broken a bone in the wrist, hip, leg or spine especially if the fracture occurred without major trauma. When someone has osteoporosis, a broken bone or fracture may happen following a simple fall from standing height. If you have close relatives who have had height loss of more than1-1/2 inches and/or developed a very stooped posture, this may signal a family history of osteoporosis, too. Sharing one's family history is important. If you have a close relative who has had a bone density test, knowledge of the diagnosis may be useful to help predict your risk for osteoporosis.

What role does heredity play in the development of osteoporosis?

Some people have a strong genetic tendency to get osteoporosis. There are probably several genes that increase the likelihood of developing the disease. It appears that the genetic tendency to get osteoporosis can be passed through either your mother's or your father's family. Peak bone mass (the highest bone mass that you will ever reach), usually achieved by age 25, is predetermined by your genetics. If you have a strong genetic tendency to get osteoporosis, the peak bone mass that you can reach at skeletal maturity may be lower than average. On the other hand, if you have parents with strong bones, it is an important factor that increases your chance for strong bones.

Bone mass is the single most important predictor of osteoporosis risk. Gender and race are important determinants of bone mass.

• Bone mass is about 5 to 10 percent higher in men than women. It is not surprising then that fewer men than women get osteoporosis.
• African-Americans tend to have higher bone mass levels than Caucasians and Asians.
• Hispanic women tend to have bone mass levels lower than that of African- Americans but higher than Caucasians or Asians.
• Scientists are still studying the reasons for gender and racial differences in the development of peak bone mass and osteoporosis.

What can I do if I have a strong genetic tendency to get osteoporosis?

It is important to do everything possible to build strong bones in the growing years and to maintain healthy bones in adulthood. The earlier prevention measures are taken, the more impact they will have on reducing future risk of osteoporosis. Your lifestyle choices in youth and young adulthood will determine if you reach the peak bone mass determined by your genetics. You can do this by making healthy choices including eating a healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D, participating in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco products and limiting your intake of alcoholic beverages. Regular menstrual periods are also necessary for girls and young women to reach their genetic potential for peak bone mass. It is important for girls or young women with absent or irregular menstrual periods to consult a medical professional.

Continuing healthy lifestyle choices in adulthood will help you to maintain strong bones. By completing a NYSOPEP risk assessment, you can take the first step to help you identify your risk for osteoporosis. Choose the appropriate NYSOPEP Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for you, "Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for Postmenopausal Women", for "Premenopausal Women"or "for Men". It is important to discuss your risk assessment as well as your family history with your medical professional. After careful review of this information, your medical professional will recommend the appropriate time for you to have a bone mineral density (BMD) test.

If osteoporosis runs in your family, it may not be possible for you to prevent it. Even if you do everything possible to promote healthy bones, if you have a family history of osteoporosis, you may still be more likely to get osteoporosis and it's fractures. If you develop osteoporosis, you cannot be blamed. In fact, the disease may have been more severe if you had not taken actions to promote healthy bones.