Screening for Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women

The USPSTF now recommends that screening begin at age 65 for all women and at age 60 for those who are at increased risk.

The third U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been releasing new and updated guidelines during the past year (guidelines homepage; Journal Watch May 15 2001; Journal Watch Aug 13 2002).

USPSTF 3 concludes each of its guidelines with a recommendation, graded as follows:

A -- The intervention is strongly recommended.

B -- The intervention is recommended.

C -- The USPSTF makes no recommendation for or against the intervention.

D -- The intervention is not routinely recommended.

I -- Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the intervention.

Many specialty societies have recommended screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, but a 2000 consensus panel from the National Institutes of Health and the 1996 practice guidel…

Reviewing Author

Richard Saitz, MD, MPH