Common Questions
What risk factors (not including secondary causes) would prompt you to screen for osteoporosis in a postmenopausal woman younger than 65?
In additional to personal fracture (including vertebral fracture seen radiographically), there are several other independent risk factors for osteoporosis.
- History of a fragility fracture in a first degree relative
- Weight less than 127 pounds or BMI ≤ 20
- Current smoker (>1ppd)
- Alcoholism (>3 drinks /day)
- Menopause before age 40
- Currently or previously treated with > 3 months of glucocorticoid therapy at a dose of 5 mg/d or more of Prednisone