What is the appropriate work-up of osteoporosis in men?
Secondary causes of osteoporosis may more often play a role in symptomatic vertebral fractures in men. Fifty percent of men who present with vertebral fracture will have an identifiable secondary cause (1-3). Thus a work-up for secondary causes should be undertaken in all osteoporotic men. Common secondary causes of osteoporosis include glucocorticoid treatment, hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism, heavy alcohol use, hyperparathyroidism, bone marrow neoplasia, and hypercalciuria (3-8).
