Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects an estimated 75 million people in Europe, U.S. and Japan. Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone," is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. As the bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly increased. The loss of bone occurs "silently" and progressively and no symptoms are apparent until the first fracture occurs. The most common fractures associated with osteoporosis occur at the hip, spine and wrist. The incidence of these fractures, particularly at the hip and spine, increases with age in both women and men. Vertebral fractures can result in serious consequences, including loss of height, intense back pain and deformity.