How Often Should Bone Density Testing Be Done?
Bone density testing
Screening for osteoporosis is recommended to begin for women at the age of 65. There is no consensus however on how often the bone mineral density testing (BMD) should be done. To this end a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine studied 4957 women age 67 or older who had either no evidence of osteoporosis or only had osteopenia. But first we need to define some terms.
- Osteoporosis is defined as a BMD T score>-2.49
- Osteopenia is defined as a BMD T score -1.01 to -2.49
- Normal bone density T score -1.0
The women were followed prospectively for up to 15 years. The study authors wanted to see at what point 10% of those 4000+ women made the transition to osteoporosis before having a hip or vertebral bone fracture. The test adjusted for those on estrogen and clinical risk factors.
The women were divided into 2 groups: those with a normal BMD and those with osteopenia who were further divided into 3 subgroups: mild, moderate and advanced.
Number of years before 10% of 4957 women would develop osteoporosis:
- 15 years for those with normal BMD or mild osteopenia
- 5 years for women with moderate osteopenia
- 1 year for women with advanced osteopenia.
These results are just one of many factors that will help medical providers determine when repeat screening is necessary for those women with normal BMD and mild, moderate or advanced osteopenia.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Leave a comment!