[Pathophysiology and therapy of osteoporosis]

Osteoporosis is a heterogeneous disease of significant socioeconomic importance. In this paper the pathogenesis of postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis, osteoporosis in men and secondary osteoporosis is reviewed. Moreover, several aspects of the diagnosis and the treatment of osteoporosis (including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin D metabolites, estrogens, SERMs, bisphosphonates, calcitonin and fluorides) are discussed.