Bone health as a co-morbidity of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease and osteoporosis commonly co-exist in aged patients. Chronic kidney disease affects bone health because of its effect on mineral metabolism in the syndrome, Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral and Bone Disorder, resulting in an increased risk of fractures. Hip fracture risk may be as much as four-fold higher in the worst affected. Tools to estimate fracture risk such as FRAX® and measuring bone density can be used in patients with chronic kidney disease; however, bone density may underestimate fracture risk in this population as it does not give information on bone quality. While osteoporosis treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 1–3 does not differ from the general population, in the absence of Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral and Bone Disorder, patients with disease stage 4–5 require special consideration. It is, however, of the utmost importance that these patients receive pharmacological treatment because of their high risk of fractures.