A Dutch study assessed the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in 125 adult patients aged 16-82 years with atopic dermatitis (AD). Osteoporosis and osteopenia were documented in 4.8 and 32.8%, respectively. Approximately one-third (30.4%) of patients had a Z score of -1 or lower, which represents a low bone mineral density (BMD). There was no correlation between low BMD and biochemical parameters of bone metabolism or prior corticosteroid use 5 years before study inclusion. The cause of low BMD in AD patients remains to be elucidated (Haeck, E.M. et al. Br J Dermatol 2009, 161(6); 1248).