Inflammation-Induced Osteoporosis: The IMO Model

Generalized osteoporosis and an increased risk of fracture are commonly observed in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (1 –4 ). Current evidence suggests that the osteoporosis developed during chronic inflammation may result from the inhibition of bone formation, and is associated with systemic overproduction of proinflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandins (5 –8 ).