Risk assessment tools for osteoporosis and fractures in 2022.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Geriatrics
• Public Health

Background:

• Osteoporosis is a prevalent non-communicable disease, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs due to fragility fractures.
• The World Health Organization has long focused on understanding and assessing osteoporosis risk, particularly in postmenopausal women.
• Current risk assessment tools, while improving, often employ a 'one-size-fits-all' approach with limitations in specificity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape of osteoporosis risk assessment and screening methodologies.
• To identify areas of uncertainty and propose future developments in osteoporosis risk evaluation.
• To emphasize the need for a more personalized approach to osteoporosis risk assessment and management.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and clinical practices for osteoporosis risk assessment.
• Analysis of traditional and modern tools for identifying individuals at risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Discussion of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data science in risk prediction.

Main Results:

• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) remains a primary tool, but other methods are available for fracture risk assessment.
• Numerous risk assessment tools exist, with ongoing advancements aiming for greater accuracy and personalization.
• Future directions point towards integrating advanced technologies for more precise individual risk stratification.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing the use of risk assessment tools requires understanding their specific applications for different patients and purposes.
• A comprehensive approach to screening and assessing fracture risk is crucial for reducing the global burden of osteoporosis.
• Personalized risk assessment, leveraging modern technologies, holds the key to more effective osteoporosis management.