Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF OSTEOPOROSIS

FACTORS THAT AFFECT BONE QUANTITY AND QUALITY

BONE REMODELING AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO BONE QUANTITY

SYSTEMIC ALTERATIONS IN THE BONE REMODELING SEQUENCE LEAD TO BONE LOSS

PATHOGENIC FACTORS WHICH IMPAIR PEAK BONE MASS

GENETIC DETERMINANTS OF PEAK BONE MASS

SUMMARY