Release Date: September 2002
Summary of Recommendations / Supporting Documents
Rating: B Recommendation.
Rationale: The USPSTF found good evidence that the risk for osteoporosis and fracture increases with age and other factors, that bone density measurements accurately predict the risk for fractures in the short-term, and that treating asymptomatic women with osteoporosis reduces their risk for fracture. The USPSTF concludes that the benefits of screening and treatment are of at least moderate magnitude for women at increased risk by virtue of age or presence of other risk factors.Rating: C Recommendation.
Rationale: The USPSTF found fair evidence that screening women at lower risk for osteoporosis or fracture can identify additional women who may be eligible for treatment for osteoporosis, but it would prevent a small number of fractures. The USPSTF concludes that the balance of benefits and harms of screening and treatment is too close to make a general recommendation for this age group.Screening for Osteoporosis, September 2002
Recommendations and Rationale (PDF File, 84 KB)
Summary of the Evidence (PDF File, 162 KB)
Systematic Evidence Review (File Download, 166 KB; PDF Files Download, 1.3 MB)
What's New from the USPSTF (PDF File, 76 KB)
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