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Primer on the Metabolic Bone Diseases and Disorders of Mineral Metabolism

1994; BMJ; Volume: 53; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/ard.53.3.157-a

1468-2060

J. A. Kanis,

Oral and gingival health research

The volume is divided into very short chapters by more than 80 authors and covers most of the disorders of bone and mineral metabolism.The problems with a multi- authorship volume are the lack of cohesion between chapters and in the level of expertise devoted to each section.This volume steers a very good compromise between these two extremes.Yes, there is overlap, but this is generally supportive rather than counterproductive.So too are their differences in style.There is, however, a great deal of heterogeneity in the level of referencing and this could be improved.Overall, this variation is not intrusive and is a great credit to the Editor and Associate Editors.The book is exactly what it claims to be -a primer.It is a very useful first source of reference for students, physicians and scientists who wish to have a short review of any area in bone metabolism.In the case of physicians, it will be useful in all the many specialties that cover some aspects of bone disease.These include rheumatology, but also endocrinology, nephrology, oncology and gynaecology.The book is compiled mainly by American authors and aimed at the American reader.There are therefore some problems for its wider use.For example, the view that corrected serum calcium should be abandoned, since ionised calcium is available and more appropriate, is clearly not translatable.Perhaps the most difficult area is in therapeutics, as in Europe treatment approaches differ considerably from the USA, particularly in osteoporosis.Agents that are widely available in other countries are relatively neglected, and in some cases ignored.Apart from these deficiencies, I can thoroughly recommed it for all with a passing, or even passionate, interest in bone disease.