[Current methods in the diagnosis of osteoporosis]

Osteoporosis is a condition of weak bone caused by a loss of bone mass and a change in bone structure. Currently, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is the method of choice for measuring bone mass in the axial skeleton and is used for making a diagnosis of osteoporosis and monitoring the response to therapy. Although bone mass is a major determinant of bone strength, factors other than bone mass(i.e., bone architecture, turnover, damage accumulation, mineralization, etc.) also contribute to bone strength. In this report, we review recent advances in the methods to diagnose osteoporosis.