Osteoporosis is the commonest disorder of bone metabolism, affecting 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 years and 1 in 8 men. In the US alone, more than 10 million people over the age of 50 years currently have osteoporosis, and over 33 million have low bone density mass. As the population ages this is expected to rise significantly.

The proven association between osteoporosis and fractures makes osteoporosis a significant health concern, with osteoporosis related fractures estimated to be costing the healthcare system $20bn in the US and €25bn in Europe each year.

However osteoporosis remains largely under diagnosed and under treated.