New Osteoporosis Screening Guidelines for Women

Almost 28 million people suffer from either osteoporosis or low bone mass - and many don't even know it. Osteoporosis is sometimes first diagnosed when the vertebrae in the back collapse - or after a fracture. Sometimes it comes on slowly and a person notices only a gradual loss in height. Shockingly, half of all postmenopausal women will experience a fracture due to osteoporosis at some point during her lifetime. That's why screening for osteoporosis is so important, especially for people at high risk for the disease. So, who should be screened - and when? Find out what the new osteoporosis screening guidelines are.

New Osteoporosis Screening Guidelines

Recently the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force revised its recommendation for osteoporosis screening. They now suggest that women age 65 and over get routine screening for osteoporosis. They also recommend that younger women who are at high risk for the disease be screened too.

Previously, they had recommended screening for women age 65 and over - and for younger women with risk factors who were at least 60 years of age. Now any woman at high risk for osteoporosis or fracture should be screened.

How Can Someone Know If They're at High Risk of Osteoporosis?

The World Health Organization developed an online tool called the FRAX calculator that offers an easy way for women to find out whether they're at high enough risk to need osteoporosis screening before the age of 65. It estimates a woman's risk of fracture over the next ten years based on risk factors such as body mass index, age, fracture history and lifestyle habits. Using this online calculator, women can find out whether they need earlier screening for osteoporosis. Simply google the term "FRAX calculator".

What are Osteoporosis Screening Guidelines for Men?

The task force didn't have any specific recommendations for men who have never had a fracture, although they didn't advise against screening. They emphasize that more research is needed to make solid recommendations about which men need osteoporosis screening and when.

Screening for Osteoporosis: The Bottom Line?

All women over the age of 65 should get osteoporosis screening. Women who are under 65 should determine whether they need earlier screening by talking to their doctor or using the online FRAX calculator. Don't take bone health for granted - osteoporosis is just too common.

References:

Family Practice News. February 1, 2011. page 1.