WHO fracture risk calculator (FRAX) in the assessment of obese patients with osteoporosis.
BACKGROUND
Recently, a new fracture risk-assessment calculator (FRAX) has been introduced. The aim of this study was to assess its usefulness for the re-assessment of fracture risk in obese patients and re-assignment to treatment.


METHODS
350 obese female patients were included. In all of them, 10-year fracture risk was calculated using FRAX (with and without T score value).


RESULTS
If major osteoporotic fracture risk was calculated with BMD, it was low in most of the patients (in 82.1% of those treated, and in 95.9% of those not treated it was below 10%). Mean risk values were significantly higher in the treated (7.7 [3;39]%) than in the non-treated group (4.6 [2.1;14]%). The reason for start of treatment in 95 out of 106 patients was a sustained low-energy fracture, low BMD, or both.


CONCLUSIONS
The WHO fracture risk calculator may be a useful tool in treated obese females with osteoporosis. The information regarding 10-year fracture risk may change the treatment strategy at least for those in whom the decision of treatment was based solely on low BMD.
Franek
Edward
E
Department of Internal Medicine, Central Clinical Hospital MSWiA, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warszawa. edward.franek@cskmswia.pl
Wichrowska
Hanna
H
Gozdowski
Dariusz
D
Puzianowska-Kuźnicka
Monika
M
D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004002:Clodronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014944:World Health Organization
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004002:Clodronic Acid; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium