[Calcium and bone metabolism across women's life stages. Epidemiology of bone and joint disease in Japanese women.]

Bone and joint diseases are severe problems in the elderly;therefore, the development of their treatment or prophylaxis is quite important. Our study shows that the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis is very high, and its impact on quality of life is strong. The treatment rate of osteoporosis is less than 10%, and awareness programs for prevention of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis disorders such as locomotive syndrome are needed.