What Is Osteoporosis Screening?
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone loss occurs by thinning of the tissue and the density of the bone. This occurs more often in women after menopause when the hormone estrogen decreases. Screening for osteoporosis is recommended for post-menopausal women.
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Risk Factors
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Women over 65 should be screened. Osteoporosis occurs more commonly in women, therefore women in certain high risk categories should be screened. Those at higher risk are women 65 years old and older, post-menopausal women, women with spin problems, those taking medications like prednisone that can weaken bones and those with diabetes or several other diseases involving the kidneys, liver or thyroid.
Types of Screening
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Osteoporosis screening is generally done with a bone density scan, or a DEXA-dual energy X-ray absorpiometry. This test measures the density of bones in the wrist, spine and hip. In addition to the DEXA scan, an ultrasound or CT scan can be used.
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Benefits of the DEXA Scan
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The DEXA scan measures the density of minerals in bone far more accurately than X-rays. X-rays do not detect bone loss until more than 20 percent of the density is lost. DEXA scans are also significantly less expensive than other bone density testing devices like CT scans and produce lower radiation exposures.
Results
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The results of osteoporosis screening can show if a patient has the beginnings of bone loss. In this case, calcium supplements can be prescribed to increase bone mass before additional loss occurs. If the results indicate significant loss has already occurred, medications to increase bone density can be prescribed.
Benefits of Screening
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Osteoporosis screening can help prevent fractures. The main benefit of osteoporosis screening is to detect when there is a slight degree of bone loss so that action can be taken to prevent further loss of bone density. By tracking decreasing bone density, a doctor can predict which patients are more susceptible to bone fracture.
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