Women should be tested for osteoporosis more frequently, experts say

Women should continue to receive bone mineral density tests on a regular basis, according to a new commentary published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Standard testing may be the only way to definitively diagnose osteoporosis and determine if a patient requires a prescription to buy Fosamax.

Last month, a study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine that stated that women over age 67 with normal bone density tests may wait up to 15 years for another screening. However, the new paper disagrees.

Experts Michael Lewiecki, Andrew Laster, Paul Miller and John Bilezikian wrote that 15 years is too long and that many women at risk for osteoporosis may develop the condition within this time. Late diagnoses may lead to higher costs from a need for more intensive medical treatments.

"Policy makers and patients who are concerned that over-use of medical tests may be driving up healthcare costs may be tempted to conclude that dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning should be done less frequently," said Dr. Lewiecki. "In fact, just the opposite is true."