Evaluation of secondary causes of bone loss in a primary care setting.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical and laboratory work-up for secondary causes of bone loss in a primary care setting.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 100 patients with either osteoporosis or osteopenia, who presented to a university-based primary care clinic. Patients with chronic kidney disease or a history of organ transplantation were excluded, as were premenopausal women.


RESULTS
Age at menopause was ascertained in 43% of female patients. Only 2% of patients were asked specifically about symptoms of malabsorption, whereas a history of malignant disease or its treatment was elicited from 24%. Of the overall study group, 50% were asked about a history of thyroid disease and 18% about a history of liver disease. Testicular examination was documented in 40% of male patients. Serum calcium and creatinine, complete blood cell count, and thyroid function tests were evaluated in 100% of patients. Vitamin D status was assessed in only 1 patient; no study patient had a 24-hour urine collection for determination of calcium excretion. Serum parathyroid hormone was measured in 7% and serum phosphorus in 10% of patients. Sixty percent of male patients had their testosterone levels assessed. Although the serum creatinine level was determined in all patients, only 1% had a formal estimation of the creatinine clearance or glomerular filtration rate.


CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of secondary causes of bone loss was notably inadequate in our study population. Because most patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia are managed in the primary care setting, a distinct need exists for consensus guidelines and recommendations from professional endocrine organizations to advise primary care physicians in the appropriate diagnostic evaluation for secondary causes of bone loss in such patients.
Hamoudeh
Eyad
E
Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, West Virginia 25701, USA.
Yaqub
Abid
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D