Abstract
Osteopenia is a decrease in bone mineral content. This can be either a result of osteoporosis where the mineral-collagen ratio of bone is normal or of osteomalacia where demineralization of collagen prevails. The term osteoporosis is also used to describe osteopenia in patients who have sustained fractures. In this discussion I will review the different causes of osteoporosis with special emphasis on clinical and laboratory features, diagnosis, and management according to the following outline:
Endocrine Osteopenia
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1.
estrogen deficiency
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2.
hyperparathyroidism
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3.
thyrotoxicosis
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4.
Cushing’s disease
-
5.
diabetes mellitus
-
6.
hypogonadism and hyperprolactinemia
Iatrogenic Osteopenia
-
1.
thyroid supplementation
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2.
exogenous glucocorticosteroids
-
3.
other drugs (heparin, Dilantin, chemotherapy, lithium)
Osteopenia due to other causes
-
1.
bone loss in athletes
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2.
anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders
-
3.
alcohol and cigarette use
-
4.
other dietary factors
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Korkor, A.B. (1993). Endocrine, Iatrogenic, and Nutritional Causes of Osteopenia. In: Foà , P.P. (eds) Humoral Factors in the Regulation of Tissue Growth. Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol 5. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9272-9_9
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