Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones characterized by a decrease in bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine and wrist.

Osteoporosis and low bone mass are common conditions, affecting as many as 44 million individuals in the United States. Osteoporosis has been estimated to lead to 1.3 million bone fractures a year in people over 45 years of age, which is represents 70 percent of all fractures...