A computational framework and sensitivity analysis for the hormonal treatment of bone.

Background: Osteoporosis is a bone disease identified by disordering of bone formation and resorption cells. It increases the risk of bone fragility and fracture. Autocrine and paracrine signalling of osteoclasts and osteoblasts plays an important role in the regulation of bone remodelling. Calcitonin is an approved pharmacologic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Methods: A novel mathematical model comprising the interaction among osteoclasts and osteoblasts cells with intermittent administration of calcitonin has been presented to study the dynamics of osteoporotic bone. The stability of model and sensitivity of parameters are also discussed.

Findings: The population of osteoclastic and osteoblastic cells has been predicted via numerical simulation. The results of Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis are shown via tornado diagram.

Interpretation: It is concluded that intermittent administration of calcitonin is an effective therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis.