March 2005 · Vol. 17, No. 3Does menopause always justify bone density testing?
Anne has new-onset hot flashes, Beth’s mother broke a hip, Carol thinks she’s not at risk, Donna has 6 risk factors. Is bone density testing appropriate?
|
IN THIS ARTICLE
-
4 case studies
-
Drug treatment based on T-scores and risk factors Reasonable options if T-score is borderline
-
When is a follow-up in 1 year vital? When is a 2- or 3-year interval safe?
-
BMD test techniques, sites, and T-scores
|
|
Fast Track
Calcium supplements have not been found to offset bone loss due to estrogen deficiency
Estrogen deficiency, if allowed to further deplete lower-than-average bone mass, will rapidly devastate skeletal structure
Major risk factors
The guidelines aren’t rules. There is no substitute for your judgment
|
|
Sydney
L.
Bonnick,
MDMedical Director, Clinical Research Center of North Texas, Adjunct Professor, Departments of Kinesiology and Biology, University of North Texas,
Denton, Tex
This question begs for a simple yes or no, but it is best answered by asking a second question, “Do I need to know my patient’s bone density to give her the best care possible at menopause?” If the answer is yes, then bone density testing is a must, because there is no other way to know what her bone density actually is.
How, then, does this knowledge affect clinical decision-making?
|
