Pathophysiology and evaluation of bone health in adrenal diseases

Abstract

Adrenal diseases are associated with an increased risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis and fragility fractures. Although dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry remains the gold standard for assessing bone mineral density, its limitations in accurately predicting vertebral fractures underscore the need for complementary diagnostic tools, particularly in the context of adrenal disorders. Vertebral fractures, often asymptomatic, may go undetected without targeted assessments such as morphometric evaluation. Incorporating advanced diagnostic tools, such as the trabecular bone score, into the evaluation of adrenal disorder-related skeletal fragility may enhance the identification of high-risk patients and support tailored therapeutic strategies. This review explores skeletal fragility from pathophysiological, clinical, and diagnostic perspectives and provides guidance to physicians for the management of adrenal disorders to improve bone health outcomes.