Question 1 Are you aged 60 or older? Yes No I am over 50 I am over 40 I am under 40 Next Older than 60? The risk of osteoporosis increases with age. Even if you have no other clinical risk factors, if you are a woman aged 60 years or over, or a man aged 70 years or over, you should discuss bone health at your next check-up. Question 2 Have you broken a bone after the age of 50? Yes No Previous Next Broken a bone after age 50? If you've broken a bone after a minor fall (from standing height), it may be because of osteoporosis. One broken bone is a major risk factor for a new fracture, with the highest risk in the following two years. Question 3 Are you underweight? (BMI below 19) Calculate your BMI: Your weight kg lbs Your height cm ft in BMI result: Your replies suggest that you may have major risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures. We encourage you to ask for a bone health assessment and to discuss strategies to reduce your risk for osteoporosis-related fractures with your doctor. Previous Next Underweight? A Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 19 kg/m2 (equivalent to 19 lbs/in2) is a risk factor for osteoporosis. Being underweight can lead to lower oestrogen levels in girls and women, similar to after menopause, which may contribute to the development of osteoporosis. At the same time, frail people are at higher risk of fracture. Question 4 After the age of 40, have you lost more than 4 cm in height (ca. 1.5 inches)? Yes No I do not know Previous Next Getting shorter? Height loss of more than 4 cm (1.5 in) as an adult is often caused by spine fractures due to osteoporosis. Not all spine fractures are painful, which means that sometimes people don’t know they have them. Question 5 Have either of your parents had a hip fracture? Yes No Previous Next Parental history? If your parents had a hip fracture, you may be at higher risk of developing osteoporosis and having a fracture. If either of your parents had a stooped back or there is a strong family history of osteoporosis, this could also be a sign that you are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Question 6 Do you have any of the following disorders? Rheumatoid arthritis Digestive tract diseases (inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), coeliac disease) Prostate or breast cancer Diabetes Chronic kidney disease Thyroid or parathyroid gland disorders Lung disorder (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) Low testosterone (hypogonadism) Early menopause, periods stopped, or ovaries removed (low oestrogen levels due to hypogonadism) Prolonged immobility (e.g unable to walk unaided) HIV I do not know, but I will ask my doctor None of the above Previous Next Disorders linked to osteoporosis Some medical disorders are linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. This is known as secondary osteoporosis. Some conditions can also increase the risk of falling, which can lead to fractures. Question 7 Have you been treated with any of the following medications? Glucocorticoids, often known as “steroids”, used to treat inflammation in various disorders (e.g prednisolone tablets for 3 months or longer) Aromatase inhibitors used to treat breast cancer Androgen deprivation therapy used to treat prostate cancer Thiazolidinediones used to treat diabetes (e.g. pioglitazone) Immunosuppressants used after transplantation surgeries (e.g. calmodulin/calcineurin phosphatase inhibitors) Antidepressants used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder etc. (e.g. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) like fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and paroxetine) Anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drugs used to treat seizures (e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine and phenytoin) I do not know, but I will ask my doctor None of the above Previous Next Medications linked to osteoporosis Long-term use of certain treatments can increase bone loss, leading to an increased risk of fracture. Some treatments also increase the risk of falls, which can result in broken bones. Question 8 Do you drink excessive amounts of alcohol (more than 3 units a day) and/or currently smoke? Yes No Previous Finish Too much alcohol intake? Drinking too much alcohol impacts negatively on bone health and can also lead to frequent falls, which increases the risk of fractures. Smoker? Whether you’re a current smoker, or have smoked in the past, you should be aware that smoking has a negative impact on bone health. You have not chosen an answer You have to do the BMI test Yes, I am underweight No, I am not underweight
