Better testing for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition of aging, whereby the density of bone decreases due to increased bone resorption from hormonal and nutritional factors, which increases the risk of bone fractures. Experts have determined that testing bone mineral density (BMD) is not as sensitive when determining bone strength in osteroporotic patients. BMD measurements are taken by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning of the vertebrae (spine), wrist and femur (leg bone) and can give an indication as to the threat of fractures and diagnosing osteoporosis in untreated patients. Patients on treatment for osteoporosis, e.g bisphosphonates, require a multifactorial bone quality testing method that incorporates DEXA scanning and other measurements to determine bone strength.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by CNW group

Related Disease Topics:

• Osteoporosis
• Bone fractures
• Fractures

Article Source Details

About: Better testing for osteoporosis

Date: 28 June 2005

Source: CNW group

URL: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2005/28/c6815.html

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Cause of osteoporosis
• Cause of fracture
• Cause of bone fracture
• Cause of bone resorption
• Cause of bone pain
• Diagnosis
• Diagnosis and DEXA scan
• Diagnosis and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan
• Diagnosis and osteoporosis
• Diagnosis and bone mineral density
• Diagnosis and bone fracture
• Diagnosis and fracture
• Medication
• Medication and bisphosphonates
• Medication and osteoporosis

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