Who should be screened for osteoporosis

Abstract Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that has a substantial public health impact. Routine bone density testing is appropriate for women aged 65 and older. Younger postmenopausal women and older men should receive selective screening. Numerous formal risk assessment tools are available to assess osteoporosis risk and help in the selection of candidates for bone mineral density testing. The optimal frequency of bone density testing is unclear. Decisions regarding whom to screen for osteoporosis should be made in the context of comorbidity, life expectancy, and treatment burden.