A condition characterized by lower than normal bone density, not as severe as osteoporosis, but increases fracture risk.

A condition characterized by lower than normal bone density, not as severe as osteoporosis, but increases fracture risk.

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

Answer: (B)

Understanding bone density categories and fracture risk helps distinguish conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. The described condition is osteopenia: bone density is lower than normal but not as low as in osteoporosis, and this level of density still increases fracture risk compared with normal bone—though not to the same extent as osteoporosis. For context, bone density is often assessed with a DEXA scan and reported as a T-score: normal is above -1, osteopenia is between -1 and -2.5, and osteoporosis is -2.5 or lower, with severe osteoporosis indicating fragility fractures. Osteoarthritis is a joint problem involving cartilage and bone changes that cause pain and stiffness, not primarily a density issue. Rickets is vitamin D–deficiency causing defective mineralization in children, leading to weak, soft bones.

Understanding bone density categories and fracture risk helps distinguish conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. The described condition is osteopenia: bone density is lower than normal but not as low as in osteoporosis, and this level of density still increases fracture risk compared with normal bone—though not to the same extent as osteoporosis.

For context, bone density is often assessed with a DEXA scan and reported as a T-score: normal is above -1, osteopenia is between -1 and -2.5, and osteoporosis is -2.5 or lower, with severe osteoporosis indicating fragility fractures.

Osteoarthritis is a joint problem involving cartilage and bone changes that cause pain and stiffness, not primarily a density issue. Rickets is vitamin D–deficiency causing defective mineralization in children, leading to weak, soft bones.