Renal Osteodystrophy-Time for Common Nomenclature

The term renal osteodystrophy has been used to describe a wide variety of bone problems facing patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we review the history of the use of this term.

Bone disease resulting from CKD was first noticed in 1890. The term "renal osteodystrophy" was used to define the bone disease in 1942. Since then, important discoveries have increased our knowledge of the complexities of bone physiology in these patients. At the same time, secular changes in the disease have occurred. The terms used to describe the bone histological findings have changed as well, reflecting new understanding of the physiological processes. However, since different investigators used the terms in different ways, the need to standardize the nomenclature has become increasingly important. Ongoing international collaboration about nosography will allow more optimal communication among scientists and clinicians as we continue to make new discoveries.