Table 11.3.

Risk Factors That Identify who Should be Assessed for Osteoporosis³⁹

Major Risk Factors	Minor Risk Factors
Age 65 years	Rheumatoid arthritis
Vertebral compression fracture	Past history of clinical hyperthyroidism
Fragility fracture after age 40	Chronic anticonvulsant therapy
Family history of osteoporotic fracture	Low dietary calcium intake
Systemic glucocorticoid therapy 3 months	Smoker
Malabsorption syndrome	Excessive alcohol intake
Primary hyperparathyroidism	Excessive caffeine intake
Propensity to fall	Weight 57 kg
Osteopenia apparent on X-ray film	Weight loss 10% of weight at age 25
Hypogonadism	Chronic heparin therapy
Early menopause (before age 45)

Osteoporosis Canada has taken the position that “BMD testing is appropriate for targeted case-finding among women under the age of 65 and for all women age 65 and older because of the high risk of osteoporosis and fracture after that age.” ³⁹

“2002 clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in Canada” — Reprinted from, CMAJ 12-Nov-02; 167(10 Suppl), Page(s) pages S1–S34 by permission of the publisher. © 2003 CMA Media Inc.