From the Guidelines
Screening for osteoporosis is recommended for women aged 65 and older and men aged 70 and older, as well as for younger individuals with risk factors such as low body weight, family history of osteoporosis, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, long-term steroid use, rheumatoid arthritis, or early menopause before age 45. According to the most recent and highest quality study, 1, osteoporosis constitutes a significant public health risk, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the primary imaging modality used to screen for osteoporosis.
Key Points to Consider
- The USPSTF recommends routine screening for osteoporosis in women 65 years of age and older, and in women 60 to 64 years of age who are at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures 1.
- Younger individuals with risk factors should also be screened, as they may benefit from early detection and intervention 1.
- DXA is the primary diagnostic modality for screening, and it measures bone mineral density at the hip and spine.
- Other technologies, such as vertebral fracture assessment and trabecular bone score, may further predict fracture risk in certain situations 1.
- Quantitative CT is useful in patients with advanced degenerative changes in the spine 1.
Recommendations for Screening
- Women aged 65 and older should be screened routinely for osteoporosis.
- Men aged 70 and older should be screened routinely for osteoporosis.
- Younger individuals with risk factors, such as low body weight, family history of osteoporosis, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, long-term steroid use, rheumatoid arthritis, or early menopause before age 45, should be screened.
- Screening should typically involve a DXA scan, which measures bone mineral density at the hip and spine.
- Follow-up DXA scans are typically recommended every 1-2 years to monitor treatment effectiveness.