title: Secondary osteoporosis: pathophysiology & diagnosis.
abstract: Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by decreased bone mass and microarchitectural changes in bone tissue that increase the susceptibility to fracture. Secondary osteoporosis is loosely defined as low bone mineral density or increased risk of fragility fracture caused by any factor other than aging or postmenopausal status. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current understanding of the pathophysiology and contribution to fracture risk of many of the more common causes of secondary osteoporosis, as well as diagnostic considerations, outlined by organ system. While not comprehensive, included are a wide array of diseases, conditions, and medications that have been associated with bone loss and susceptibility to fractures. The hope is to highlight the importance to the general clinician of screening for and treating the osteoporosis in these patients, so to limit the resultant increased morbidity associated with fractures.
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania Regional Center for Arthritis & Osteoporosis Research, 1200 Broadcasting Road, Suite 200, Wyomissing, PA 19610, USA. Electronic address: gemkey1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gregory R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Emkey
authors.affiliation: Mt Sinai School of Medicine, I Gustave Levy Place New York, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Sol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: aromatase inhibitors; fragility fractures; glucocorticoids; hypercalciuria; hyperparathyroidism; hyperthyroidism; multiple myeloma; osteoporosis; secondary osteoporosis; vitamin D deficiency