Identifying Osteoporosis and Risk Assessment
NICE produced guidance in August 2012 on assessing the risk of fragility fractures. For more information visit:
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg146
Risk assessment should be considered if any of the following apply:
All women aged 65 years or over and men aged 75 year or over
In women under 65 years, and men under 75 years if any of the following apply:
- Previous fragility fracture
- Current use of oral or systemic steroid treatment
- History of falls
- Family history of hip fracture
- Low body mass index (BMI) <18.5
- Excess alcohol intake
- Presence of other medical conditions known to cause osteoporosis
It is not necessary to risk assess patients under the age of 50 years unless they have major risk factors (e.g. Systemic use of glucocorticoids, untreated premature menopause, previous fragility fracture).
Either FRAX or Q-Fracture should be used, within their allowed age ranges, to predict 10 year fracture risk.
Osteoporosis Baseline Investigations
NICE published a baseline assessment tool. For more information visit:
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg146/resources/cg146-osteoporosis-fragility-fracture-baseline-assessment-tool