Osteoporosis Diagnosis
Early osteoporosis diagnosis is important and can help prevent fractures from occurring in the first place. Osteoporosis Canada recommends combining bone mineral density (BMD) testing with a clinical risk assessment to accurately determine fracture risk.
In Canada, it is recommended that a clinical risk assessment is performed in post-menopausal women and men ≥ 50 years of age.
Less than 20% of patients with a fracture in Canada currently undergo diagnosis or adequate treatment for osteoporosis.
How Is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?
Physicians can diagnose osteoporosis using two different clinical risk assessment tools: the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) or the Canadian Association of Radiologists and Osteoporosis Canada (CAROC) assessment tool.
The go-to test recommended by Osteoporosis Canada is FRAX because it considers additional risk factors, like parental hip fracture, BMI, and alcohol intake. During an appointment, your doctor will ask you a series of questions to assess your risk and decide if BMD testing is needed.
Bone Density Testing: The DEXA Scan
The “DEXA” scan (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) is a safe, painless way to measure the density of your bones.
During the DEXA scan, you lay fully clothed on a table while small amounts of X-rays are transmitted through your bones. The amount of X-rays passing through your bones is measured, and the greater the amount of X-rays that pass through, the less dense your bones are.
The density of bones is called bone mineral density (BMD).
Understanding Bone Mineral Density
Bone mineral density test results are given as a “T-score”. The T-score is a measuring system used to compare your bone density to an established standard (that of a young adult of the same gender).
The higher your T-score, the more dense your bone. A T-score above -1 is considered normal; a T-score between -1 and -2.5 indicates low bone mass (osteopenia); and a T-score below -2.5 indicates osteoporosis. Physicians will use your T-score and age, along with other osteoporosis risk factors you may have to assess your risk for fracture, and possibly come to an osteoporosis diagnosis. Bone mineral density tests can be arranged with your healthcare practitioner.
To better understand if you are at risk of osteoporosis, take the fracture risk assessment and talk to your doctor about the results.
Are You Concerned that You May Be at Risk for Osteoporosis?
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR