On March 1 the USPSTF presented new guidelines on osteoporosis screening (1.). Yea, these were helpful. This guidelines states that women should look at a risk calculator called the the FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment) tool (World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, Sheffield, United Kingdom; www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/) Women who are over 65 should get screening, we knew that. But women who are under 65 and have a risk equal to or greater than those that are 65 (based on other risk factors) should be screened.
In addition, a recent study from Canada confirmed that treatment based on 10-year risk of osteoporosis, ie., not treating women with low or intermediate risk did not result in higher rates of fractures. Yea for comparative effectiveness training.
So patients can take this FRAX test at home or be directed to take it while waiting for those physicals!
1. Screening for Osteoporosis: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Ann Intern Med March 1, 2011 154:356-364
2. A Before-and-After Study of Fracture Risk Reporting and Osteoporosis Treatment Initiation, Leslie WD, et al Ann Intern Med November 2, 2010 153:580-586
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