Women and CKD-mineral and bone disorder.

Development of CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) increases morbidity and mortality in men and women with CKD. The corresponding link among bone disease, fracture, and extraskeletal calcifications has been the subject of much focus. In the general population, the incidence of cardiovascular disease is higher in men than women, and this gender differences in degree of calcification and morbidity is maintained in kidney disease. Gender differences in phosphorus and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) have been described. Increases in both have been linked with increasing likelihood of death in the CKD population as a whole; however, this link is not as well described when looking at women alone. The clinical significance of these differences, and the potential associated outcomes, are poorly understood. Traditional understanding of bone disease in women without kidney disease may not be fully applicable in women with CKD. Use of bone densitometry is limited in this population, and the traditional preventative interventions may not be fully transferrable to women with CKD.