[Utility of Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX)]

The WHO's FRAX was developed to identify persons at high risk of bone fracture requiring medical intervention by calculation of individual 10-year probability(%) of fracture based on hip bone mineral density(BMD) and 11 clinical risk factors, or 11 clinical risk factors alone. FRAX has been incorporated into national guidelines throughout the world as a standard for determining when initiation of therapy is necessary. In Japan, low bone mass(BMD 70-80% of young adult mean) and FRAX 10-year major osteoporotic fracture probability of 15% or higher among men and postmenopausal women younger than 75 years of age have been added to the "Diagnostic Criteria and Treatment Guidelines of Osteoporosis" as reference for determining initiation of treatment.