The Learning Blog

FRAX (a shortened version of “WHO Fracture Assessment Tool”) is a computer-driven algorithm tool to assess an individual’s ten-year risk for fracture. It is developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is based on an individual’s medical data and history such as clinical risk factors (age, sex, previous fractures, smoking, among others) to femoral neck bone’s Bone Mineral Density or BMD.

This tool is for people age 40 and above. Although optional, a BMD test is also suggested (though you can leave the field in the form blank) before using this. Ask your doctor to help you out if you need one.

Knowing the result from FRAX will help clinicians to better identify men and women in need of intervention. It is also a helpful assessment tool where regions or countries having limited resources such as the bone density scan also called DEXA (DXA) scan.

A particular entry under “Calculation Tool” tab on the web page you have to select before you start your computation is your country of origin. Countries that are included are: the US, UK, Japan, Australia, Argentina, etc. If your country is not included in the list, don’t worry, the site answers this particular question (from FAQ):

Use the country for which the epidemiology of osteoporosis most closely approximates your country.   Very high risk is represented by Sweden and US.  High risk is represented by the UK and Italy.  Moderate risk is represented by China, Spain, France and Japan.  Low risk country is Turkey.
New models are expected to be made available in later versions.  Lobby your national society.

For more information, click here.

From the current recommendation of the Society of Obstetrician and Gynecologists of Canada published (15 June 2009):

Adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation is key to ensuring prevention of progressive bone loss. For postmenopausal women, a total intake of 1500 mg of elemental calcium from dietary and supplemental sources and supplementation with 800 IU/d of vitamin D are recommended. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation alone is insufficient to prevent fracture in those with osteoporosis; however, it is an important adjunct to pharmacologic intervention with antiresorptive and anabolic drugs.

Note:  The recommended daily allowances of vitamins and recommended doses of drugs/medicines depends on many factors. So please ask first your doctor on how much vitamin or medicine you are going to take for the prevention or treatment of conditions. The above article is only for information purposes only.

I just recently received MedScape’s email listing their Top Ten Articles for 2008 for the Internal Medicine Specialty. Click on the numbered headings for more information on the particular articles. More »