ABSTRACT
Genetic factors play an important role in regulating several phenotypes revelant to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Data from twin and family studies have shown that between 50 and 85% of the variance in bone mass is genetically determined1-4. Other determinants of osteoporotic fracture risk such as quantitative ultrasound properties of bone5, femoral neck geometry5, muscle strength6, bone turnover markers7 and age at menopause8 have also been shown to be genetically determined. Genetic factors play a less important role in the pathogenesis of fracture itself. Whilst family history of fracture has been shown to be an independent risk factor for fracture in several studies9,10, twin studies have shown that environmental factors such as falls are a more important determinant of fracture than are genetic factors11.
