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Abstract
Several osteoporosis risk-factor screening tools have been developed to identify women
at increased risk of low bone mineral density, who would most benefit from dual x-ray
absorptiometry (DXA) screening. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess
the effectiveness of these screening tools in determining postmenopausal Caucasian
women at risk of developing osteoporosis. Appropriate databases and sources of primary
studies were identified. A systematic review of the literature using a comprehensive
search strategy was employed, and all citations were stored. Exclusion criteria were
established, and critical quality was assessed. Study characteristics were tabulated
and comparisons made. Upon reviewing the evidence, 6 screening tools (Simple Calculated
Osteoporosis Risk Estimation, the Osteoporosis Risk Assessment Instrument, the Osteoporosis
Self-Assessment Tool [OST], the body weight criterion, the Osteoporosis Index of Risk,
and Age, Body Size, No Estrogen) were identified. Studies show that these screening
tools are useful in identifying postmenopausal Caucasian women in need of DXA screening
and possible intervention for osteoporosis. For clinical and community practice, the
OST is the simplest approach to determine individuals at risk of osteoporosis and
in need of DXA screening. There is still a need for further development and validation
of screening tools in both men and ethnicities other than Caucasian.