06-23-2012, 08:33 PM
A 76-year-okl woman comes to the physician because of severe back pain for the past 2 weeks. She has no history of smoking. She has been taking prednisone (30 mglday) for rheumatoid arthritis for the past 6 months and has received hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progesterone for the past 15 years. Calcium and vitamin 0 intake are adequate. X-rays of the spine show a vertebral fracture. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the fracture?
o A) Decreased bone formation due to decreased calcium absorption
o B) Decreased bone formation due to inhibition of osteoblast differentiation
o C) Increased bone resorption due to decreased calcium absorption
o D) Increased bone resorption due to decreased serum parathyroid hormone concentration
o E) Increased bone resorption due to estrogen receptor defect
Explanation is appreciated
o A) Decreased bone formation due to decreased calcium absorption
o B) Decreased bone formation due to inhibition of osteoblast differentiation
o C) Increased bone resorption due to decreased calcium absorption
o D) Increased bone resorption due to decreased serum parathyroid hormone concentration
o E) Increased bone resorption due to estrogen receptor defect
Explanation is appreciated