On March 28, 2025, the Department of Internal Diseases and Rheumatology at “SMU” NCJSC held an open session using the ITTP (Interprofessional Team-Based Teaching and Practice) methodology on the topic: “Calcipenic and Phosphopenic Osteomalacia.” The session was attended by residents from the following specialties: “Adult and Pediatric Rheumatology”, “Adult and Pediatric Infectious Diseases”, “Adult and Pediatric Gastroenterology”, and “Adult and Pediatric Nephrology”. The event was conducted under the guidance of academic mentors: Professor R.L. Ivanova, Associate Professor A.Z. Tokayeva, Associate Professor A.T. Shakhanova, PhD A.S. Botabaeva, and Acting Associate Professor T.Kh. Rymbayeva, who organized the event.

In recent decades, osteoporosis has expanded beyond being merely a geriatric concern, becoming an interdisciplinary issue. In addition to osteoporosis, reduced bone mineral density and fracture risk are also characteristic of osteomalacia, often referred to as “adult rickets.”

First-year rheumatology resident N. Aimukhambetov delivered a presentation titled “What is Osteomalacia? Causes, Clinical Features, and Diagnosis.” Given that one of the causes of osteomalacia is the inhibition of bone tissue mineralization due to tenofovir—a drug used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and chronic hepatitis B—several additional presentations were given:

• “Viral Hepatitis B: Treatment and a Clinical Case” by first-year infectious diseases resident A. Uakhitova.
• “Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Patient Observation and Monitoring” by gastroenterology resident D. Umarkhanova.
• “The Impact of Tenofovir on the Human Musculoskeletal System” by first-year rheumatology resident R. Zhusupova.
• “Nephrological Complications of Tenofovir Use” by first-year nephrology resident A. Musina.

Thus, osteomalacia is not only a concern for rheumatologists but also for infectious disease specialists and nephrologists. It represents a significant social and economic issue due to its widespread prevalence and its association with fractures.

The primary objective of this open session was to emphasize the importance of thorough differential diagnosis of bone-mineral disorders associated with osteomalacia and to highlight the necessity of an interprofessional team approach in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with tenofovir, ensuring comprehensive patient care.