A degenerative bone disease characterized by decreased bone density, increasing fracture risk, is

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Osteoporosis
• C. Osteopenia
• D. Rickets

Answer: (B)

Osteoporosis is the condition described. It involves a loss of bone density and disruption of bone structure, so bones become weak and fracture-prone. This happens when bone resorption outpaces formation, leading to thinner, more fragile bones that can break with minimal trauma, especially in the hips, spine, and wrists.

Osteoarthritis, by contrast, is a joint disease where cartilage wears away, causing stiffness and pain but not primarily driven by low bone density. Osteopenia is low bone density that isn’t severe enough to be osteoporosis yet; it signals higher risk for developing osteoporosis but doesn’t by itself mean fractures will occur. Rickets is a vitamin D–deficiency condition in children that causes defective bone mineralization and bowing of bones, not the same pattern of density loss seen in osteoporosis. A DEXA scan showing a T-score of -2.5 or lower is used to diagnose osteoporosis.