Secondary Osteoporosis: Diagnosis and Treatment

Osteoporosis is a disorder of porous bones which lead to fragile fractures. Secondary osteoporosis is caused due to side effects from some medications or as a result of medical conditions. Drug induced osteoporosis Bone density tests, X-rays and ultrasounds are used to check osteoporosis. Phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and primidone are the most common medications for osteoporosis. 

How can you Check for Osteoporosis?

Diagnostic tests to check for osteoporosis are as follows,

• 1. Bone density test

1. A. X ray
2. B. Ct scan
3. C. Ultrasound
4.  

Medications for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be treated and the effects of the painful symptoms can be reduced effectively by taking regular medications. Some of the common medications advised by the doctor are as follows:

1. 1. Phenobarbital
2. 2. Carbamazepine
3. 3. Phenytoin
4. 4. Primidone
5.  

Drug-Induced Osteoporosis

Secondary osteoporosis is also caused due to the adverse effects of certain medications on bone health. You will be surprised to know that many physicians don’t consider the fact that various commonly prescribed medicines pose a threat to bone strength. Some medicines can cause hollowing of the bones and bone loss, leading to frequent fractures. Following class of medicines have a deleterious impact on the bones:

1. 1. Glucocorticoids
2. 2. Serotonin receptor inhibitors
3. 3. Proton pump inhibitors
4. 4. Thiazolidinediones
5. 5. Selective chemotherapies
6. 6. Medroxyprogesterone acetate
7. 7. Anticonvulsants
8. 8. Aromatase inhibitors
9. 9. Heparin
10. 10. Androgen deprivation therapy
11. 11. Calcineurin inhibitors
12.  

Secondary osteoporosis associated with monoclonal antibody therapy

Secondary osteoporosis treatment is also carried out through monoclonal antibody therapy. A human monoclonal antibody, Denosumab is administered subcutaneously to treat secondary osteoporosis. Following conditions can be treated effectively by monoclonal antibody therapy.

• 1. Malignant conditions that affect bone density
• 2. Bone loss in prostate cancer
• 3. Bone metastasis
•  

Frequently asked Questions

Q.1. What is the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis?

The most common causes of secondary osteoporosis are as follows:

1. 1. Side effects from medications
2. 2. Due to some medical conditions like, 
   1. A. Endocrinopathies
   2. B. Autoimmune disorders
   3. C. Gastrointestinal disorders
   4. D. Haematological disorders
   5. E. Renal disease
   6.  

Q.2. What are the causes of osteoporosis, and how can it be prevented?

Osteoporosis is a disorder of porous bones which lead to fragile fractures. Secondary osteoporosis is caused due to side effects from some medications or as a result of medical conditions. Drug induced osteoporosis Bone density tests, X-rays and ultrasounds are used to check osteoporosis. Phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and primidone are the most common medications for osteoporosis. 

Diagnostic tests to check for osteoporosis are as follows,

1. 1. Bone density test
2. 2. X ray
3. 3. Ct scan
4. 4. Ultrasound
5.  

Bone density is measured through several diagnostic imaging procedures, which are as follows:

1. 1. X-ray 
2. 2. DEXA or DXA (X-ray absorptiometry)
3. 3. Special CT scan to assess the hip or spinal bone densities.
4.  

Q.3. What are medicines for osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis can be treated and the effects of the painful symptoms can be reduced effectively by taking regular medications. Some of the common medications advised by the doctor are as follows:

1. 1. Phenobarbital
2. 2. Carbamazepine
3. 3. Phenytoin
4. 4. Primidone
5.  

Q.4. How is bone density measured?

Bone density is measured through several diagnostic imaging procedures, which are as follows:

1. 1. X-ray 
2. 2. DEXA or DXA (X-ray absorptiometry)
3. 3. Special CT scan to assess the hip or spinal bone densities.
4.  

Q.5. Diagnostic tests to check for osteoporosis are as follows,

1. 1. Bone density test
2. 2. X ray
3. 3. Ct scan
4. 4. Ultrasound
5.  

Q.6. What are the secondary osteoporosis treatment options?

Secondary osteoporosis associated with monoclonal antibody therapy

Secondary osteoporosis treatment is also carried out through monoclonal antibody therapy. A human monoclonal antibody, Denosumab is administered subcutaneously to treat secondary osteoporosis. Following conditions can be treated effectively by monoclonal antibody therapy.

• 1. Malignant conditions that affect bone density
• 2. Bone loss in prostate cancer
• 3. Bone metastasis
•  

Q.7. What is drug-induced osteoporosis?

Secondary osteoporosis is also caused due to the adverse effects of certain medications on bone health. You will be surprised to know that many physicians don’t consider the fact that various commonly prescribed medicines pose a threat to bone strength. Some medicines can cause hollowing of the bones and bone loss, leading to frequent fractures. Following class of medicines have a deleterious impact on the bones:

1. 1. Glucocorticoids
2. 2. Serotonin receptor inhibitors
3. 3. Proton pump inhibitors
4. 4. Thiazolidinediones
5. 5. Selective chemotherapies
6. 6. Medroxyprogesterone acetate
7. 7. Anticonvulsants
8. 8. Aromatase inhibitors
9. 9. Heparin
10. 10. Androgen deprivation therapy
11. 11. Calcineurin inhibitors
12.  

Related Post