title: The use of biochemical markers in osteoporosis.
abstract: Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease in which there is a loss of, or de-crease in, bone mass with a deterioration of the microarchitecture of bone tissue. The disease is progressive, taking place over a period of years, and involves derangements in the processes of bone turnover. These derangements can be classified as those in which osteoclast activity (resorption) is stimulated so that more bone is re-moved than formed or in which osteoblast activity (formation) is hindered such that refilling of the resorption cavity is incomplete. Regardless of the process, a key pathologic development is the net loss of bone mass. This article reviews the use of biochemical markers in osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Campus box 7525, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. cstabler@unch.unc.edu
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hammett-Stabler
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers