Table 1.

Indications for measuring bone mineral density

Older adults (age ≥ 50 yr)	Younger adults (age < 50 yr)
Age ≥ 65 yr (both women and men)	Fragility fracture
Clinical risk factors for fracture (menopausal women, men age 50–64 yr)	Prolonged use of glucocorticoids*
Fragility fracture after age 40 yr	Use of other high-risk medications†
Prolonged use of glucocorticoids*	Hypogonadism or premature menopause (age < 45 yr)
Use of other high-risk medications†	Malabsorption syndrome
Parental hip fracture	Primary hyperparathyroidism
Vertebral fracture or osteopenia identified on radiography	Other disorders strongly associated with rapid bone loss and/or fracture
Current smoking
High alcohol intake
Low body weight (< 60 kg) or major weight loss (> 10% of body weight at age 25 yr)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Other disorders strongly associated with osteoporosis

^*At least three months cumulative therapy in the previous year at a prednisone-equivalent dose ≥ 7.5 mg daily.

^†For example, aromatase inhibitors or androgen deprivation therapy.