The importance of early diagnosis
of osteoporosis |
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| Measuring Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at
various points on the body has the same predictive value of
future fractures as using blood pressure to predict future strokes,
or using smoking to predict future coronary artery disease. |
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| The World Health Organization (WHO) has
followed up the definition of osteoporosis in terms of low bone
mineral content (BMC). These criteria are based on comparing
BMD in a particular patient with that of peak bone mass in young
healthy individuals. BMD values that fall well below the average
for that of peak bone mass (stated statistically as 2.5 standard
deviations below the average) are diagnosed as "osteoporotic".
If a patient has a BMD value less than 1 standard deviation
below the average compared to a young healthy female, but not
2.5 standard deviations below the average, the bone is said
to be "osteopenic" (decreased bone mineral density,
but not as severe as osteoporosis). |
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| Bone mineral measurements also allow: |
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| 1. Estimation of whether bone mineral density
or bone mineral mass are within a normal range and quantification
of the degree of any abnormality. |
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| 2. Use of these results to predict the risk
of fracture. |
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| 3. Estimation of the rate of bone loss over
a 1-2 year interval. |
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| Bone mineral measurements are thus the only
recommended methods today for setting the diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Bone mineral measurement gives a front-line position in the
diagnostic armament of the physician interested in bone disease. |
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| Clinical risk factors that indicate fracture
risk independently of BMD include age, previous fragility fracture,
premature menopause, a family history of hip fracture, and the
use of oral corticosteroids. Furthermore, various non-skeletal
factors, such as the liability to fall, contribute to fracture
risk. |
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