Who needs bone-building drugs?

January 20, 2010, Lenia Teo, Physiotherapist

Osteoporosis is a common debilitating condition that contributes to increase risk of fractures. To prevent possible risk of fractures, bone building drugs are available to improve bone density. However, they can have side effects and are only 50 percent effective in preventing fractures. Therefore, World Health Organisation has come up with a tool to find out who will benefit from bone building drugs.

FRAX is an online risk calculator which helps the doctors and patients to determine the possibility of potential fracture and determine whether the drug therapy might prevent fractures. The list consists of questions looking at risk factors of osteoporosis. The factors analyze the lifestyle, conditions, diseases and medications that can contribute to the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

The formula is applicable to both men and women. It can be used independently without a person’s bone density score but having a bone density score can further enhance the accuracy of the prediction.

 

References

www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/index.htm

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/health/29brod.xml

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