Bone Disorders

Question 1

define osteoporosis

Answer 1

progressive decrease in bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, causing increased fragility and susceptibility of fracture

Question 2

true or false: osteoporosis is more common in men than women

Answer 2

false

Question 3

list common fracture sites due to osteoporosis

Answer 3

neck of femur
vertebral body
distal radius
humeral neck

Question 4

describe the bone remodelling cycle that occurs in bone remodelling units

Answer 4

osteoclasts act on an inactive surface and resorb bone

these are then replaced by osteoblasts that fill the cavity by laying osteoid

osteoid is then mineralised to form new bone

Question 5

what is the abnormal process occurring in osteoporosis?

Answer 5

relative/absolute increase in bone resorption compared to formation

Question 6

in women, what is the major determinant of bone loss following menopause?

Answer 6

oestrogen deficiency

Question 7

what is the most widely used method of assessing bone mineral density?

Answer 7

DEXA scan

Question 8

define normal BMD

Answer 8

within one standard deviation of young adult reference mean

Question 9

define osteopenic BMD

Answer 9

between 1 and 2.5 standard deviations below young adult reference

Question 10

define osteoporotic BMD

Answer 10

2.5 or more standard deviations below young adult reference

Question 11

true or false: low BMD is proportional with increased risk of fracture

Answer 11

true

Question 12

list some lifestyle advice for osteoporosis

Answer 12

high intensity strength training
low impact weight bearing exercise
avoid smoking and alcohol
diet management

Question 13

list drug treatment for osteoporosis

Answer 13

calcium + vitamin D supplements 
bisphosphonates 
denosumab 
teriparatide 
strontium ranelate 
HRT 
SERMs
testosterone

Question 14

how do bisphosphonates work?

Answer 14

antiresorptive agents to prevent bone loss at vulnerable sites

absorb onto bone and ingested by osteoclasts, leading to cell death

Question 15

give examples of bisphosphonates

Answer 15

alendronate

risedronate

Question 16

when would antiresorptive therapy be started in patients?

Answer 16

T score less than -2.5

Question 17

list some long term complications of bisphosphonates

Answer 17

osteonecrosis of jaw
oesophageal cancer
atypical fractures

Question 18

which complication of osteoporosis is zoledronic acid particularly useful for?

Answer 18

reduces the risk of fractures

Question 19

what is denosumab and why is it useful for osteoporosis?

Answer 19

monoclonal antibody that antagonises RANK to inhibit development of osteoclasts

results in increased bone density

Question 20

why is strontium ranelate the third line treatment for osteoporosis?

Answer 20

antiresorptive capacity is lower than bisphosphonate

has more contraindications

Question 21

what is teriparatide?

Answer 21

recombinant PTH that helps stimulate bone growth

Question 22

what is Paget’s disease?

Answer 22

abnormal osteoclast activity resulting in increased osteoblast activity

Question 23

which bones does paget’s disease typically affect?

Answer 23

long bones
pelvis
lumbar spine
skull

Question 24

list clinical features of paget’s disease

Answer 24

bone pain
deformity
deafness
compression neuropathy

Question 25

what is the main treatment for paget’s disease?

Answer 25

bisphosphonates