title: Should a diagnosis of osteopenia trigger clinical action?
abstract: Osteopenia is far more widespread than osteoporosis, its incidence in the older age-groups being roughly three times that of osteoporosis. Furthermore, almost one-sixth of the young-adult population are--by definition--osteopenic (< 1% have osteoporosis). The National Osteoporosis Foundation guidelines suggest intervention at T-scores of -2.0 or lower; however, risk factors are built into various sets of guidelines, such that intervention may be desirable at T-scores of -1.0. The risk of fracture is, in fact, greater at lower bone mineral densities (BMD) throughout the entire range of BMD values. Thus, osteopenia is a management issue. This article considers the risks of fracture in terms of BMD and other factors, and recommends action that answers the prevention needs of the individual patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Lois E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Wehren
mesh_terms: D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004164:Diphosphonates; D014807:Vitamin D