Diagnostics and therapeutics for osteoporosis

1. A method for determining increased risk for developing osteoporosis or complications thereof in a subject, comprising:

obtaining a DNA sample from the subject;

determining the genotype of the subject at the IL-1B (−511) and IL-1RN (+2018) loci;

detecting in the subject an osteoporosis-associated genotype comprising genotype 2.2 at IL-1B (−511) and genotype 1.2 at IL-1RN (+2018);

wherein the presence of the osteoporosis-associated genotype indicates that the subject has an increased risk for developing osteoporosis or complication thereof, wherein the complication thereof is a bone fracture.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is female.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is over about 60 years of age.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is between about 65 and about 90 years of age.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said bone fracture is a vertebral fracture.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject has not used hormone replacement therapy.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said detecting step is selected from the group consisting of:

a) allele specific oligonucleotide hybridization;

b) size analysis;

c) sequencing;

d) hybridization;

e) 5′ nuclease digestion;

f) single-stranded conformation polymorphism;

g) allele specific hybridization;

h) primer specific extension; and

i) oligonucleotide ligation assay.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein prior to or in conjunction with detection, the nucleic acid sample is subject to an amplification step.

9. A method for alleviating a symptom of osteoporosis in a subject, comprising:

a) detecting the presence of an osteoporosis-associated genotype in said subject, wherein said genotype comprises genotype 2.2 at IL-1B (−511) and genotype 1.2 at IL-1RN (+2018); and

b) administering to said subject a therapeutic that compensates for the osteoporosis.