Pathogenesis and diagnostic procedure of primary osteoporosis.

Bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured by scanner type dual photon absorptiometer (LUNAR DP3) in control population and primary osteoporosis. Histomorphometric study of the iliacal trabeculae was added to evaluate bone dynamics in osteoporosis. Primary osteoporosis was classified to postmenopausal and senile osteoporoses. BMD value of lumbar spine in postmenopausal osteoporosis was lower than age-matched control, and that of senile osteoporosis showed no difference from control value. Many patients of femoral neck fractures were assumed as senile osteoporosis, because their BMD values of the femoral neck were in the range of age-matched control value. Histomorphometric result showed normo- or low-turnover bone in postmenopausal osteoporosis and low turnover bone in senile osteoporosis.