[Bone densitometry for the diagnosis of osteoporosis: the Belgian reimbursement paradox]

Osteoporosis is considered as a major Public Health issue, in most developed countries. Bone mineral density assessment is the single best predictor of the future fracture risk for an individual. Belgium has the highest number of bone densitometers, per million habitants, in Europe. However, densitometry is not yet reimbursed in Belgium. This situation is rather paradoxical since the demonstration of a prevalent vertebral fracture or of a low bone mineral density is requested to obtain the reimbursement of drugs to be used for the management of osteoporosis. Hopefully, Belgium will soon be online with the requirement s of the European Commission, suggesting to make bone densitometry accessible, through reimbursement.