Field of medicine: Endocrinology and metabolism.

Format: Hardcover book.

Audience: Primary care physicians, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, gynecologists, orthopedic surgeons, and physicians in training.

Purpose: To educate a broad array of health care providers about the pathogenesis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Content: Describes the pathogenesis and treatment of osteoporosis and details the clinical treatment of osteoporosis. Includes case studies that illustrate specific aspects of osteoporosis care.

Highlights: This book provides useful practice guidelines. A unique feature is an appendix that lists the costs of laboratory tests and medications used in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Limitations: Although useful to practicing clinicians and physicians in training, this book is not especially authoritative. The references vary; those in some chapters are more current and thorough than those in others. Some chapters are better than others in terms of the quantity and quality of the information provided.

Context: The clinical importance of osteoporosis is increasing. This book is a good introduction to osteoporosis but is less comprehensive than several other recently published textbooks on the subject.

Reviewer: Bart L. Clarke, MD, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.