The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has opened a review of the effectiveness of screening for osteoporosis.
On June 18, USPSTF began taking public comments on a draft research plan on whether screening for osteoporosis, low bone mass, or high fracture risk actually reduces fractures and fracture-related morbidity and mortality in asymptomatic adults ages 40 and older. The review covers screening with both clinical risk assessment and bone measurement testing.
USPSTF is considering the following questions, among others:
- How well do peripheral dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and qualitative ultrasound predict fracture risk?
- What are the harms of screening?
- What is the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for preventing osteoporosis in people with low bone mass or for treating osteoporosis in different subgroups?
- What are the harms of pharmacotherapy?
USPSTF is taking comments through July 15 on its website.
