Identification of women at high risk of osteoporosis in primary care

Abstract

A pilot study was undertaken in 500 women to examine clinical risk factor enquiry and ultrasound densitometry as methods for identifying women at high-risk of osteoporosis in a primary care setting. As a "stand-alone" procedure for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) selection, ultrasound densitometry was as good as clinical risk factor enquiry. However, in combination these methods provided complementary information that increased prediction for osteoporosis. This type of service could easily be used in primary care to identify women at high-risk of osteoporosis and improve cost effectiveness of DXA selection.