Osteoporosis—Assessment of the premenopausal patient

Osteoporosis is a common worldwide health issue, with serious long term consequences. The diagnosis of osteoporosis and the assessment of fracture risk in postmenopausal women is based primarily on bone mineral density (BMD) criteria. The relation of BMD and fracture risk in a premenopausal population is unknown. With increased availability and accessibility to Dual XRay Absorbtiometry Scans (DXA), premenopausal women are increasingly either requesting a routine BMD evaluation or are being referred for BMD testing. This protocol attempts to define guidelines on appropriate scanning and subsequent assessment and management of premenopausal patients with low bone mass.