Review article

A Diagnostic Approach to Patients with Osteoporosis

Ivana Kraljević
Tanja Škorić Polovina

Abstract

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, disruption of bone microarchitecture, and skeletal fragility, resulting in reduced bone strength and increased risk of fractures. Measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) using bone densitometry is the standard in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Densitometry is an excellent diagnostic tool, but clinical risk factors also significantly affect fracture risk. Therefore, it is recommended that the decision to treat osteoporosis includes considerations about the likelihood of fracture. BMD results should be combined with other clinical factors to assess fracture risk and make proper decisions about therapy. In addition to densitometry, a clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis can be made at high fracture risk as set by FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) specific to a particular geographic region/country. Also, a clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis can be made for fractures of the hip, vertebrae, forearm, upper arm, ribs, and pelvis, that occur spontaneously or after minimal trauma, regardless of BMD. After diagnosing osteoporosis, it is necessary to rule out secondary causes of osteoporosis before treatment is initiated.

Keywords

osteoporosis; densitometry; BMD; fractures; FRAX

Hrčak ID:

291555

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/291555

Publication date:

17.1.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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