Nation's Largest Medical Specialty Organization Issues New Guideline For Screening For Osteoporosis In Men

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Also Included In: Men's health
Article Date: 08 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Osteoporosis is often viewed as a women's health issue, but one in 16 men over 65 suffers from the disease, and few men are currently tested or diagnosed. Because of the aging population, a dramatic increase in osteoporosis among men is expected in the near future. New recommendations from ACP call for physicians to screen for osteoporosis in older men, especially those over the age of 65.

Osteoporosis is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated in men, and studies show that osteoporotic fractures result in substantial disease, death, and health costs in men. Risk factors for osteoporosis in men are older age, low body weight, weight loss, physical inactivity, previous fractures not caused by substantial trauma, ongoing use of certain drugs (such as corticosteroids like prednisone or drugs that are sometimes used to treat prostate cancer), and low-calcium diets.

Physicians should obtain a DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan for men who are at increased risk for osteoporosis and are candidates for drug therapy.

The new guideline is based on a systematic evidence review of previously published studies and is published in the May 6 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, one of the most widely cited peer-reviewed medical journals in the world. The journal has been published for 81 years and accepts only 7 percent of the original research studies submitted for publication. Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the ACP, the nation's second-largest physician group.

Annals of Internal Medicine is one of the most widely cited peer-reviewed medical journals in the world. The journal has been published for 80 years and accepts only 7 percent of the original research studies submitted for publication. Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians, the nation's largest medical specialty society.

Annals of Internal Medicine