21 February 2017
Dear Dr Tomasz Paszkowski
Editor-in-Chief
Przegląd Menopauzalny
In December 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) published an editorial „Clarifying WHO’s position on the FRAX® tool for fracture prediction” in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization stating, among other things, that the FRAX® tool to evaluate fracture risks of patients is not a ‘WHO tool’ and has not been developed, endorsed, evaluated or validated by WHO, notwithstanding any public statements and claims to that effect”. The editorial further clarified that “according to our records, WHO has not authorized the use of the WHO name, acronym or emblem in connection with the FRAX tool, including for the tool’s branding, promotion or sale.” It also stated that the University of Sheffield’s Metabolic Bone Disease Unit was designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre from 1991 to 2010 only, at which time such designation expired. A copy of the editorial is enclosed with this letter for your reference and is available at http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/94/12/16-188532/en/.
At this time, WHO is formally asking all journals that have published more than one article containing information which contradicts or is inconsistent with the abovementioned clarifications and/or editorial to publicly correct their records concerning such misinformation.
Based on our research, we have identified that 180 journals and up to 595 articles are concerned-including Przeglad Menopauzalny and the following two articles published therein (collectively, “Correctable Articles”):
Leszczynski, P., Dudziec, E. & Samborski, W. Personal analysis of fracture risk factors. Clinical conditions for FRAX tool use in clinical practice. Prz Menopauzalny 2012; 16: 287-290 (2012).
Skowronska-Jozwiak, E., Wojcicka, A., Lorenc, R. & Lewinski, A. Assessment of 10-year fracture risks in postmenopausal women by the FRAXTM algorithm, standardised for Italian, Spanish and UK populations. Prz Menopauzalny 2010; 14: 17-22.
By this letter, we formally request that you please take all necessary actions to ensure that Przegląd Menopauzalny and all Correctable Articles are publicly corrected as soon as and to the greatest extent possible in order to clarify that, notwithstanding any public statements and claims to the contrary:
The FRAX tool is not a „WHO tool”;
The FRAX tool was/is not developed, endorsed, evaluated or validated by WHO;
The University of Sheffield, including its Metabolic Bone Disease Unit, is not a WHO Collaborating Centre since January 2010; and
Dr. John Kanis and/or Dr. Eugene McCloskey are not affiliated with a WHO Collaborating Centre since January 2010.
Thank you for your attention to the important matters set forth in this letter. We look forward to receiving your prompt written confirmation that you have taken the necessary actions requested above. Should you have any questions concerning these matters, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Laragh Gollogly
Coordinator, WHO Press