Book excerpt: Now in its third edition, Osteoporosis, is the most comprehensive, authoritative reference on this disease. Written by renowned experts in the field, this two-volume reference is a must-have for academic and medical libraries, physicians, researchers, and any company involved in osteoporosis research and development. Worldwide, 200 million women between 60-80 suffer from osteoporosis and have a lifetime risk of fracture between 30 and 40 percent continuing to make osteoporosis a hot topic in medicine. This newest edition covers everything from basic anatomy and physiology to diagnosis, management and treatment in a field where direct care costs for osteoporitic fractures in the U.S. reach up to $18 billion each year. NEW TO THIS EDITION:*Recognizes the critical importance of the Wnt signaling pathway for bone health *Incorporates new chapters on osteocytes, phosphatonins, mouse genetics, and CNS and bone *Examines essential updates on estrogen prevention and treatment and the recent results from the WHI *Discusses the controversial topics of screening and clinical trial design for drug registration *Includes essential updates on therapeutic uses of calcium, vitamin D, SERMS, bisphosphonates, and parathyroid hormone * Offers critical reviews of reproductive and hormonal risk factors, ethnicity, nutrition, therapeutics, management, and economics comprising a tremendous wealth of knowledge in a single source not found elsewhere