Bone Metabolism Unit

We concern ourselves with detecting, treating, and monitoring patients with premenopausal, postmenopausal, and male osteoporosis, along with osteoporosis that can appear secondary to drugs and other diseases, such as transplants, blood and endocrine diseases, HIV infection, bariatric surgery, breast cancer, and chronic kidney failure.  These pathologies can, through various mechanisms, cause osteoporosis. That is why we actively monitor these patients, coordinating with the different specialities treating them.

In this line, we carry out important healthcare and research work in osteoporosis related to lung transplant, actively evaluating the patients and carrying out protocol-based, multidisciplinary treatment and follow-up to minimise the risk of fractures and avoid the associated complications. The fact that the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital is the only centre in Catalonia authorised to do lung transplants means that we have extensive healthcare activity and experience in this field.

The Fracture Liaison Unit (UCF) for the North Primary Health Care Area (AIS Nord) is in the process of being created and inaugurated. Fracture Liaison Units (FLS) are multidisciplinary services whose objective is the secondary prevention of fractures due to bone fragility (those produced by a light impact or mild fall). The first fragility fracture is a predictor for subsequent fractures and is associated with very high morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic costs, especially when it is a hip fracture. Fracture Liaison Units have been implemented in many countries and there are many publications that substantiate their effectiveness and clinical potential (https://www.capturethefracture.org/).  Thus, our objective is based on offering a patient who has suffered a first fragility fracture timely, comprehensive, protocol-based, and high-quality care.

In addition, we are actively involved in the less prevalent bone metabolism disorders, such as Paget's disease and osteomalacia, as well as rare disorders like osteogenesis imperfecta, which require coordinated care with different medical and surgical specialities and a close, multidisciplinary monitoring.