Assessing fracture risk and effects of osteoporosis drugs: bone mineral density and beyond.
Although there have been numerous advances in the assessment of bone strength and fracture risk, the majority of these techniques can only be performed in research laboratories, making them largely unavailable to practicing clinicians. Prospective epidemiologic studies have identified risk factors that can be assessed within the clinic and combined with bone mineral density to allow clinicians to better identify untreated individuals at heightened risk for fracture and to make informed treatment decisions based on 10-year absolute fracture risk. This article discusses the assessment of fracture risk in clinical practice, reviews currently and soon-available bone measurement tools, and details the impacts of osteoporosis therapies on fracture risk.
Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Laval University, Quebec, PQ, Canada.
K Shawn
KS
Davison
David L
DL
Kendler
Patrick
P
Ammann
Douglas C
DC
Bauer
David W
DW
Dempster
Larry
L
Dian
David A
DA
Hanley
Steven T
ST
Harris
Michael R
MR
McClung
Wojciech P
WP
Olszynski
Chui K
CK
Yuen
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents