Generalised Osteopaenia
February 7th, 2020
Overview
Look for a reduction in bone density, either generally or surrounding a joint.
Generalised osteopaenia suggests an imbalance in bone deposition and resorption, placing bone at risk of pathological fractures.
Causes of Generalised Osteopaenia
- Post-menopausal
- Senile (age-related)
- Genetic - osteogenesis imperfecta
- Metabolic - hyperparathyroidism, hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, vitamin D deficiency, ESRF, paraneoplastic syndrome, T1DM, acromegaly
- Malnutrition - eating disorder, poor intake
- Malabsorption - coeliac disease, IBD, pancreatic insufficiency
- Hepatic - chronic hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, biliary cirrhosis
- Marrow failure - leukaemia / lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia, haemochromatosis, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis
- Transplant - marrow, heart, lung, liver, kidney
- Medications - corticosteroids, chemotherapy drugs, anticonvulsants, PPIs, SSRIs, lithium, aluminium
On a plain x-ray it is not possible to distinguish between osteopaenia and osteoporosis.
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