FRAX - WHO Fracture Risk Assessment

[John_Mills]

The FRAX® tool has been developed by WHO to evaluate fracture risk of patients. It is based on individual patient models that integrate the risks associated with clinical risk factors as well as bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck.

The FRAX® algorithms give the 10-year probability of fracture. The output is a 10-year probability of hip fracture and the 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture (clinical spine, forearm, hip or shoulder fracture).

shef.ac.uk/FRAX/tool.jsp?co... Answer the calculation questions, calculate, then a box will appear with the results...click on "View NOGG guidance" and it will give you which risk band you are in..

This Frax assessment was recommended to us.. all people on high dose steroids should take other medication to prevent/protect from oesteoporosiis. While they are on these drugs they should be monitered regularly and have DEXA scans.... every 2/3 years...John has a scan every 5 years..but he had to ask for his last scan as they seemed to have overlooked it...so even the best consultants/hospitals can overlook this important scan for someone on high dose steroids for a long period of time...

[SusanCh]

Hello John and Susan

Thanks for posting this. At the meeting yesterday, I was interested when the Rheumatologist

(who we thought was very good) mentioned FRAX and talked about the osteoporosis levels upto -2.5. I recently had a DXA scan and my L3 lumbar was -3.3.This has not improved during 3 years since my last DXA. I also had a back xray about 1 month ago. No-one seems to want to give me info about it until I saw my Resp Dr a couple of weeks ago and he showed us the results of the xray where the radiologist had commented that there was a wedge fracture at L3. On checking on the internet, wedge fractures seem to be due to osteoporosis. No-one seems to want to talk to me about it or suggest any treatment other than stay on Alendronic Acid.

I will have to go to my GP again and ask for a referral to the Metabollic Bone Clinic to see if I can get some answers there!

Best wishes Sue

[hamble99b Volunteer]

I had a dexa scan over 5 years ago, I'll ask about it. Thanks,

sandra.