Fragility fractures in chronic kidney disease: An opinion-based approach

Abstract

When a patient with chronic kidney disease suffers a fragility fracture, a key question is whether the patient has osteoporosis or, instead, renal osteodystrophy. Bone densitometry does not help in this distinction: biochemical tests, and sometimes also bone biopsy, are needed. However, even if the patient has osteoporosis, we have little evidence to guide our treatment decisions in cases of advanced chronic kidney disease.