USPSTF To Update Osteoporosis Guidelines With Recos For Screening Men And Women At Low Risk For Fracture

In 2002, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended bone density screening for women 65 years or older and women aged 60 to 64 at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures. At the time, the Task Force made no recommendations for or against screening men or women in other patient populations.

07 july 2010--Researchers reviewed research published between 2001 and 2009 to determine the effectiveness and harms of osteoporosis screening in reducing fractures for men and postmenopausal women without known previous fractures; the performance of risk-assessment instruments and bone measurement tests in identifying persons with osteoporosis; optimal screening intervals; and efficacy and harms of medications to reduce primary fractures.

The researchers found that although methods to identify risk for osteoporotic fractures are available and medications to reduce fractures are effective, no trials directly evaluate screening effectiveness, harms, and intervals for this patient population.

A draft recommendation statement will be posted for public comment on the USPSTF Web page for a period of four weeks. The USPSTF will consider posted comments when finalizing the recommendations.

News from the Annals of Internal Medicine: July 6, 2010

Source:
Angela Collom
American College of Physicians