AbstractOsteoporosis is a systemic chronic skeletal disease, which is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk to osteoporotic fractures (OFs). OFs are associated with high mortality and morbidity, and seriously affect the life quality of patients. Osteoporosis is prevalent in the middle-aged and elderly population, especially the postmenopausal women. With population aging, osteoporosis becomes a world-wide serious public health problem. Early recognition of the high-risk population followed by timely and efficient intervention and/or treatment is important for preventing OFs. In light of the high heritability and complex pathogenesis of OP, comprehensive consideration of significant biological/biochemical factors is necessary for accurate risk evaluation. For this purpose, we reviewed recent research progress on moleculars which are diagnostic and/or predictive of OFs risk. Future integrative analyses and systematic evaluation of these moleculars may facilitate developing novel methodologies and/or test strategies, i.e., biochips, for early recognition of osteoporosis, hence to contribute to preventing OFs in the world.Graphical AbstractOsteoporosis, which is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk to osteoporotic fractures (OFs), is prevalent in the middle-aged and elderly population, especially in the postmenopausal women. We focused on several types of important molecules, including proteins/peptides, RNAs, lipids, to gain comprehensive understanding and to generate novel perspectives in predicting and diagnosing OFs.
Retraction Note: Associations between VDR Gene Polymorphisms and Osteoporosis Risk and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis