Hot topics from the 4th International Conference on Osteoporosis in Men

With the aging of the population worldwide, osteoporotic fractures are becoming a serious problem in the Western world. Male osteoporosis is associated with a significant burden in terms of morbidity, mortality and economic cost. Although less frequent in men than women, osteoporosis is a relatively common problem. The increasing prevalence and awareness of osteoporosis and fractures in men, together with the development of easy-to-measure tools and risk indicators to optimize case-finding strategies, has increased the demand for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this condition and, in turn, for appropriate and effective treatments. This article reports recent findings regarding the pathophysiology and treatment of male osteoporosis that have been discussed by some of the most outstanding scientists in this field at a meeting held in Santa Margherita, Italy, on 6–8 November 2008.