OsteoEd

Risk Factors

Laurel Desnick, MD

A 52-year-old African-American woman comes to your office requesting testing for osteoporosis. She has been watching the ads on TV and wants to start medication to protect her bones from a fracture. She stopped menstruating one year ago. She does not have any chronic medical problems, but she doesn’t get any exercise. Two years ago, she broke her ankle stepping off a curb.

Click an answer under each question.

1. Do you order a DEXA screening test?

   • Option A No, it would be better to wait until she is 65.
   • Option B Yes, she has important risk factors and needs screening now.
   • Option C No, she does not need screening, but she does need to start weight bearing exercise.

2. Are there other risk factors besides personal fracture, which would encourage you to screen a postmenopausal woman prior to age 65?

   • Option A Yes
   • Option B No

3. Which of the following would be an indication to screen a woman or man of any age for osteoporosis?

   • Option A Renal failure
   • Option B Celiac disease
   • Option C Inflammatory bowel disease
   • Option D Primary hyperparathyroidism
   • Option E All of the above

4. Does being African-American put her at a higher risk for osteoporosis as compared to a white woman?

   • Option A Yes
   • Option B No

5. Are there any risk factors that are modifiable in order to prevent a fracture?

   • Option A No, it is an inherited disease and risk factor modification is unhelpful.
   • Option B Yes, a healthy lifestyle can decrease the risk of a fracture.

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