MicroRNAs and the Diagnosis of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis poses an immense burden to the society in terms of morbidity, mortality, and financial cost. Accurately and early diagnosis of the onset of osteoporosis and fracture risk is the key to reduce this burden and deliver effective therapy. Current screening and monitoring approaches for osteoporosis mainly include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, ultra-sound measurements, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) as well as some bone turnover markers. However, these conventional diagnostics are either limited in specificity and sensitivity, or high-cost. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized as important regulators of bone physiology and potential diagnostic biomarkers for different types of osteoporosis as well as fracture risk assessment. In this chapter, we will review the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in different types of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. After comparing with the conventional diagnostics, the advantage and disadvantage of miRNAs as indicators in osteoporosis diagnosis will also be discussed. The emerging perspectives of miRNAs as biomarkers maybe a novel strategy for the clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis, which will also provide a significant impact on the early prevention of complex diseases in future.