| Theme |
Fracture risk assessment and its significance in osteoporosis clinics |
| Title |
Age, bone mineral density, and history of fragility fractures as risk factors for osteoporotic fractures |
| Author |
Takayuki Hosoi |
Department of Advanced Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology |
| [ Summary ] |
The diagnostic criteria for primary osteoporosis in Japan are based on both bone mineral density and the presence of fragility fractures. Both are major risk factors for osteoporotic fractures. Although it has been emphasized that the strength of bone is determined by bone mineral density and bone quality, no clinical parameters are available for assessment. In this situation, it is practically useful that the Japanese diagnostic criteria include a history of fragility fractures. Age is another potent risk factor independent of bone mineral density. However, the diagnostic criteria do not consider age. The handling of age is an important issue for the clinical application of newly developed tools for the assessment of risk from fragility fractures. |