Densitometry identifies women in whom treatment will reduce fracture risk

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Densitometry identifies women in whom treatment will reduce fracture risk
PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS

Despite lack of research on the effectiveness of osteoporosis screening to reduce fractures, there is sufficient evidence that bone density measurements accurately predict short-term fracture risk and that treating asymptomatic women with osteoporosis reduces fracture risk.

According to this report, a reasonable recommendation is to screen all women older than 65 years and postmenopausal women younger than 65 years who have low weight (or body mass index) or who have never used hormone replacement therapy.1

The US Preventive Services Task Force noted that the optimal screening frequency has not been studied, but suggested a frequency of not more than every 2 years for older women or every 5 years for younger postmenopausal women. Also of note: other sources, notably the bisphosphonates package labeling, advise against monitoring therapy with repeated dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or other methods.

 
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Practice Recommendations from Key Studies

Nelson HD, Helfand M, Woolf SH, Allan JD. Screening for postmenopausal osteoporosis: review of the evidence for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2002; 137:529–41.

Peter F. Cronholm, MD
Wendy Barr, MD, MPH
Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia

[email protected]

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The Journal of Family Practice - 52(2)
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94-117
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Practice Recommendations from Key Studies

Nelson HD, Helfand M, Woolf SH, Allan JD. Screening for postmenopausal osteoporosis: review of the evidence for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2002; 137:529–41.

Peter F. Cronholm, MD
Wendy Barr, MD, MPH
Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia

[email protected]

Author and Disclosure Information

Practice Recommendations from Key Studies

Nelson HD, Helfand M, Woolf SH, Allan JD. Screening for postmenopausal osteoporosis: review of the evidence for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2002; 137:529–41.

Peter F. Cronholm, MD
Wendy Barr, MD, MPH
Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia

[email protected]

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PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS

Despite lack of research on the effectiveness of osteoporosis screening to reduce fractures, there is sufficient evidence that bone density measurements accurately predict short-term fracture risk and that treating asymptomatic women with osteoporosis reduces fracture risk.

According to this report, a reasonable recommendation is to screen all women older than 65 years and postmenopausal women younger than 65 years who have low weight (or body mass index) or who have never used hormone replacement therapy.1

The US Preventive Services Task Force noted that the optimal screening frequency has not been studied, but suggested a frequency of not more than every 2 years for older women or every 5 years for younger postmenopausal women. Also of note: other sources, notably the bisphosphonates package labeling, advise against monitoring therapy with repeated dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or other methods.

 
PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS

Despite lack of research on the effectiveness of osteoporosis screening to reduce fractures, there is sufficient evidence that bone density measurements accurately predict short-term fracture risk and that treating asymptomatic women with osteoporosis reduces fracture risk.

According to this report, a reasonable recommendation is to screen all women older than 65 years and postmenopausal women younger than 65 years who have low weight (or body mass index) or who have never used hormone replacement therapy.1

The US Preventive Services Task Force noted that the optimal screening frequency has not been studied, but suggested a frequency of not more than every 2 years for older women or every 5 years for younger postmenopausal women. Also of note: other sources, notably the bisphosphonates package labeling, advise against monitoring therapy with repeated dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or other methods.

 
Issue
The Journal of Family Practice - 52(2)
Issue
The Journal of Family Practice - 52(2)
Page Number
94-117
Page Number
94-117
Publications
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Topics
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Densitometry identifies women in whom treatment will reduce fracture risk
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