The US Prevention Task Force comme...

The US Prevention Task Force commends that women age 65 and older routinely pass through screening for osteoporosis, according to a clan 16, 2002, news release from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Age is the greatest risk factor for osteoporosis, which affects 12% to 28% of women age 65 and older Women identified as being at high risk for the disease because of their weight (ie, in a less degree than 154 lbs) or because they are not using estrogen should begin routine screenings at age 60 These recommendations mark the first time that the task force has called for routine osteoporosis screenings.

Osteoporosis flash on the minds when bone tissue thins or bring to maturitys small holes. This condition can ensue in pain, spinal abnormalities, enfeebled bones, and loss of height. Approximately 50% of women who live to age 85 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lives; 25% of these women will perform the operations indicated in a spine abnormality; and 15% will fracture a hip.

The task force construct that dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), a noninvasive trial is the most accurate arrangement of measuring bone density. The best predictor of hip fracture is DEXA of the hip; however, bone density of the hand, wrist, forearm, and heel also can be measured to lay open risk.

Task Force incites Routine Osteoporosis Screening for Women 65 and Older to Identify Those at Risk for Fracture (new release, Rockville, Md: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, generation 16, 2002).

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