Peer Reviewed
Perspectives

Absolute fracture risk: what does it mean for your patient?

Weiwen Chen, Jacqueline Center
Abstract
Fracture prevention is the main goal of treatment for osteoporosis. Absolute fracture risk calculators have been developed that aim to better quantify fracture risk and may help to guide treatment decisions in certain situations.
Key Points
  • Absolute fracture risk calculators aim to better quantify fracture risk by incorporating clinical risk factors as well as bone mineral density (BMD) into risk estimations.
  • Fracture risk calculators most commonly used in Australia are the WHO Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) and the Garvan Fracture Risk Calculator (GFRC).
  • Absolute fracture risk calculators may have clinical application for identifying patients at higher risk of fracture and potentially for better targeting therapy.

    Picture credit: © John M. Daugherty/Science Source/Diomedia.com

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