Is osteoporosis an inflammatory process?
Clinical observations reveal coincidence of systemic osteoporosis with period of systemic inflammation as well as co-localization of regional osteoporosis with areas of regional inflammation [2]. Different epidemiologic studies report an increase in the risk of developing osteoporosis in various inflammatory conditions [5-8]. Immunological dysfunctions, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases [9], HIV infection [10], hyper-IgE syndrome [11], rheumatoid arthritis [12], haematological diseases, particularly myeloma [13], and inflammatory bowel diseases [14], are associated with osteoporosis. Erosions seen in conditions such as gout, osteomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis, are typically associated with inflammation in the joints. Pro-osteoclastic cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, are elevated in these conditions and local cytokine profile is consistent with the cytokines that modulate bone resorptio
