ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis is a chronic disease predisposing to low-energy fractures millions of patients worldwide on a yearly basis. To reduce personal medical burden as well as financial costs for health-care systems, it is important to diagnose and effectively treat all osteoporotic patients at high risk of fracture. The monitoring of medical treatment includes measurements of bone mineral density by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at a 1- to 2-year basis, as well as monitoring of bone turnover markers when available to ensure adequate response to treatment. Novel techniques such as quantitative computed tomography (QCT) of the central and peripheral skeleton provide detailed information of drug-induced changes of bone mineral mass and microarchitecture but are not readily available in clinical settings and may increase exposure to radiation as well as increased costs of surveillance.
