Renal tubular disorders and arteriopathy of the lower limbs: risk factors for osteoporosis in men?

In order to clarify the risk-factors for men with vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis, we carried out a study of 51 cases. Twenty-five percent of patients had an endocrine disorder (hyperparathyroidism, hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism) or had received corticosteroids. These patients were compared with 26 age-matched controls. Eleven patients compared with 2 of the 26 control subjects had arteriopathy of the lower limbs; 11 patients had hypercalciuria or hyperphosphaturia compared with 3 of the control subjects. Arteriopathy appears to be associated with osteoporosis in older patients (mean age 71 years), whereas renal tubular disorders were found in younger patients (mean age 45 years).