title: Fragility fractures: clinical and therapeutic aspects.
abstract: Osteoporosis is the most important bone metabolic disorder characterized by reduction of bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration associated to an increased risk for fragility fractures. It involves millions of worldwide-dispersed individuals of both sexes and, consequently, the elevated morbidity and mortality of fractured subjects and the increased socio-economic costs suggest it must be faced as a major health problem. Thus, there is a need for either a precocious identification of subjects with fragile bones or the institution of specific diagnostic-therapeutical strategies. Improvement in bone pathophysiology knowledge, together with progress in pharmaceutical development has led to an opportunity for early identification and therapy of subjects at high risk of fragility fractures. In this review, we briefly describe the recent acquisitions in bone pathophysiology as well as in the anti-fracture drug development with a brief excursus on those already well established.
authors.affiliation: St Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malavolta
authors.affiliation: St Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: St Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buffa
authors.affiliation: Hercolani Center, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falchetti
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000368:Aged; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000517:prevention & control; D056657:Cathepsin K / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019379:Teriparatide / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D004164:Diphosphonates; D005819:Genetic Markers; C422903:SOST protein, human; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D019379:Teriparatide; D056657:Cathepsin K