Health
Simple screen for male osteoporosis
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 24, 2007
By asking male patients three questions -- their age, weight and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- physicians identified men at risk for osteoporosis and a possible hip fracture, according to a study in the November/December Annals of Family Medicine.
The Male Osteoporosis Risk Estimation Score, or MORES, assigns points to the three risk factors. Men ages 56 to 74 score 3 points, those weighing less than 154 pounds score6 points and those who have COPD score 3 points. Scores of 6 or greater indicate the need for a bone scan and, if that procedure indicates bone loss, then treatment.
Researchers also concluded that bisphosphonate treatment in men should yield results similar to those seen in women, namely fewer hip fractures.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/12/24/hlbf1224.htm.
