Mathematical formula predicts osteoporosis fracture risk for women

A formula has been devised that can predict the risk of bone fractures in women who suffer from osteoporosis.

Photo: Mathematical formula predicts osteoporosis fracture risk for women

Using a mathematical equation, University of Melbourne scientists can calculate a woman's risk with 75 percent accuracy. The study was just released in the Journal of Radiology.

Those who suffer from osteoporosis are more likely to have fractures because their bones are less dense than healthy people's bones. The disease usually affects post-menopausal women, but men and younger people can get osteoporosis too.

Wrists, hips and the spine are the most common sites for fractures in people with osteoporosis, reports First Coast News.

According to Forbes, c alled the Fracture Risk -- or FRISK -- score, the new tool takes into account a variety of risk factors, including bone density, and is meant to help doctors tailor their treatment strategy to help women prevent bone breaks.

"The equation is a simple combination of bone mineral density at the spine and femoral neck [the upper part of the thigh bone, close to the hip joint], the number of previous fractures sustained, body weight and a falls score derived from the number of falls in the previous year," said study author Margaret Joy Henry, a statistician at the University of Melbourne, where the formula was developed.

"Doctors commonly assess bone mineral density at the spine and femoral neck and will have this data available to include in the equation," she said. "The previous number of fractures and falls are self-reported by the patient, and weight is easily measured."