Bone diseases

Editorial board member Oliver FitzGerald presents a family with two siblings having features consistent with angel-shaped phalango-epiphyseal dysplasia (ASPED), and a mother with a normal phenotype but with severe, early-onset multi-joint osteoarthritis.

Malachi McKenna explains the risks of long-term bisphosphonate therapy in patients with osteoporosis, and the rationale for a drug holiday. He also compares bisphosphonates with denosumab, and explains why denosumab should not be followed by a drug holiday.

Editorial board member Sangeeta Sule discusses the causes of low bone mineral density and osteoporosis in pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases, and suggests strategies for risk prevention and treatment of this disease.

Advisory board member and consultant endocrinologist Malachi McKenna summarizes the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in monitoring bone health and diagnosing low bone mineral mass in children.