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Osteoporosis risk factor assessment and bone densitometry--current status and future trends
1Department of Endocrinology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 169608.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|March 12, 2002
Summary
Osteoporosis and fractures are growing concerns in aging populations. Identifying individuals at risk through risk factor assessment and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements ensures timely intervention for fracture prevention.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
Background:
- Osteoporosis and fragility fractures pose increasing challenges with aging global populations.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements are crucial for identifying osteoporosis and enabling preventative interventions.
- Cost-effective case-finding strategies are recommended due to the rising at-risk demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current approaches for detecting and diagnosing osteoporosis.
- To highlight the role of risk factors and BMD measurements in managing osteoporosis.
- To guide therapeutic interventions based on fracture risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- A non-systematic review of English-language literature.
- Focused on the diagnosis and assessment of osteoporosis.
Main Results:
- Numerous risk factors are associated with osteoporosis and fractures, aiding in case finding.
- Clinical self-assessment tools can identify women likely to have low BMD.
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip is the preferred BMD measurement technique.
- Emerging research utilizes risk factor assessment and self-assessment tools for medium-term fracture risk prediction.
Conclusions:
- Effective osteoporosis management requires careful selection of individuals for evaluation.
- Combining risk factor assessment with appropriate BMD measurements is essential for determining fracture risk and intervention needs.