Risk assessment in bone health

Dr Wan Aizad Wan Mahmood and Dr Malachi J. McKenna address the global practice issues in osteoporosis treatment regarding who should have a DXA and what patients need to be treated. Osteoporosis is defined empirically as a reduction in bone strength due to both loss of bone mass and deterioration in bone quality that manifests clinically with low-trauma fractures. {openx:269} The most common fractures are those of vertebrae, proximal femur (hip), and distal forearm (wrist). These fractures may be followed by full recovery or chronic pain, disability and death. Important psychological symptoms – most notably depression, loss of self-esteem, anxiety,…