Metabolic Bone Disease Flashcards
Which groups are at risk of vitamin D deficiency?
- Those with Renal / Hepatic disease
- The elderly
- Those with darker skin (melanocytes compete for UV rays)
Which hormone is implicated in the removal of calcium from bone? How is calcium partitioned within the body?
Parathyroid hormone
Calcium is used to harden bone, but also acts as a very important cellular messenger. The body prioritizes cellular messages, often at the expense of bone. Hard to maintain Ca homeostasis with liver / kidney disease
Describe the pathophysiology of Paget’s bone disease
Disease of bone turnover. Excessive bone resorption followed by excessive bone formation
Leads to disorganized bone that is bigger, less compact, more vascular and more susceptible to deformity and fracture
Who is most likely to get Paget’s disease?
- Strong genetic component
- Anglo saxon heritage
- Hypothesized that viral infection may act as environmental trigger
- > 40 years old (mainly 70+ yrs old)
- More common in females
Presentation of Paget’s disease?
- Bone pain (often worse at night)
- Bone deformity (some cases)
- Heat over affected bone
- Hearing loss (often due to CN VIII compression)
(most commonly diagnosed incidentally when raised ALP is found during LFTs)
Which bones are commonly affected by Paget’s diesease?
Long bones: femur, tibia & fibula, radius & ulna
Pelvis
Skull
(can affect any bone within skeleton though)
Investigations for suspected Paget’s disease?
- X-ray
- Isotope bone scan (increased metabolic activity of bone will show on scan)
- Bloods: elevated ALP
Treatment of Paget’s disease?
No indication to treat asymptomatic Paget’s unless in skull or area requiring surgical intervention
- One off IV infusion of Bisphosphonates (zoledronic acid) is the mainstay of treatment
- Calcitonin if severe pain
Describe the pathophysiology of Rickett’s disease / Osteomalacia
Severe vitamin D deficiency causes insufficient mineralization of bone: Rickett’s / Osteomalacia
No vitamin D = no calcium absorbed in gut and therefore no bone mineralization
Who tends to get Rickett’s / Osteomalacia?
Rickett’s: children (epiphyseal plates still exist)
Osteomalacia: adults (epiphyseal plates closed)
Presentation of Rickett’s disease?
- Stunted growth
- Abnormal bone shape (eg splayed epiphyses)
- Frontal bossing (large skull / prominent forehead)
- Rachitic Rosary ribs (beads under rib cage on radiograph due to overgrowth of costal cartilage)
- Bowed legs
- Protruding abdomen
Treatment of Rickett’s diease and osteomalacia?
Calcium and vitamin D supplements
underlying endocrine problem?
Symptoms / signs of osteomalacia?
- Bone pain / tenderness
- Bony deformities
- Altered muscle function / myopathy
- Increased falls risk (fall frequency)
Investigations for osteomalacia / Rickett’s?
- X-ray (Looser’s zones: microfractures - radiolucent areas)
- Bloods: Ca / PO4 / ALP / PTH / vit. D
What is osteogenesis imperfecta?
Genetic disorder (28 different types) of type 1 collagen resulting in weak bones that are extremely vulnerable to fracture
Broad clinical range - can be lethal at young age, can present similarly to early onset osteoporosis