Identifying the osteopenic patient and preventing worsening of the disease

Osteopenia is a progressive condition that places patients at risk for increased morbidity and mortality if untreated. Patients with bone loss of at least 1.0 standard deviation (SD) from normal are considered osteopenic, whereas those with bone loss of at least 2.5 SDs are considered osteoporotic. Osteoporotic patients are treated to stop bone loss and restore bone mineral density. Patients with bone loss in the osteopenic range, even osteopenic patients with additional risk factors, might not receive treatment. National Osteoporosis Foundation guidelines recommend treatment when bone loss is 2.0 SDs, or less when additional risk factors are present. This is supported by the literature; treatments for bone loss are approved for the prevention of osteoporosis.