Genetics of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures
Ling Oei1, M Carola Zillikens2, Fernando Rivadeneira3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Netherlands Genomics Initiative-sponsored Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Aging, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, IJsselland Hospital, Capelle aan den IJssel, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Our understanding of the genetic control of skeletogenesis and bone remodeling is increasing, and in addition to various nongenetic risk factors, a positive family history confers an increased risk of fracture. Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporotic fractures and they are often a first manifestation of osteoporosis. This review presents the current state of knowledge on the genetic basis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and, additionally, of structural vertebral deformities resembling osteoporotic vertebral fractures but which may have their own genetic basis. We conclude that, apart from tentative screening for rare monogenic forms of osteoporosis in very unusual case presentations, not enough is currently known to encourage routine genetic screening in regular osteoporotic vertebral fracture cases.
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