Metabolic bone disease

Metabolic bone disease is an umbrella term referring to abnormalities of bones caused by a broad spectrum of disorders.

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Most commonly these disorders are caused by abnormalities of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium or vitamin D leading to dramatic clinical disorders that are commonly reversible once the underlying defect has been treated. These disorders are to be differentiated from a larger group of genetic bone disorders where there is a defect in a specific signaling system or cell type that causes the bone disorder. There may be overlap. For example, genetic or hereditary hypophosphatemia may cause the metabolic bone disorder osteomalacia. Although there is currently no treatment for the genetic condition, replacement of phosphate often corrects or improves the metabolic bone disorder.

Conditions considered to be metabolic bone disorders

Rickets or Osteomalacia

Vitamin D deficiency

Hypophosphatemia

Hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism

Secondary hyperparathyroidism

Renal osteodystrophy

Corticosteroid overuse

Paget disease of bone