New technologies in the evaluation of bone fragility and its application in Endocrinology

Bone mineral density using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is the gold standard for the assessment of bone and an important predictor of fracture risk. However, most fragility fractures occur in people without densitometric osteoporosis, especially in endocrinological diseases. Fracture risk estimation tools such as FRAX have improved diagnostic sensitivity but do not include additional skeletal features. Bone microarchitecture research represents an improvement in the treatment of these patients. In this document members of the Mineral and Bone Metabolism Working Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition review new advances in dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and other complex techniques for the study of bone microarchitecture as well as the available data on type 2 diabetes and parathyroid pathology.