| [ Summary ] |
Identifying persons at high risk of bone fracture and initiating treatment in these individuals is an effective strategy for prevention of osteoporotic fractures. The WHO's Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX ®) was developed to identify individuals at high risk of bone fracture, requiring medical intervention. This is accomplished by calculating each individuals' 10‒year probability (%) of bone fractures based on bone mineral density and clinical risk factors, or clinical risk factors alone. The standard definition : "decreased bone density and FRAX‒based probability of osteoporotic fractures of 15 % or more" was added to the intervention criteria in Japan's "Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis (2006 version)." However, since more than 90％ of elderly women aged 75 years or older have fracture probability of 15 % or higher, a condition has been added to apply this standard to all men and to women younger than 75. Fracture probability can be calculated, even without bone density data, by entering a subject’s height, weight and risk factors using FRAX. Widespread use of FRAX is expected to contribute to fracture prevention in the elderly through identification of potential high fracture risk patients who would benefit from treatment. |