When Should the Doctor Order a Spine X-Ray? Identifying Vertebral Fractures for Osteoporosis Care: Results From the European Prospective Osteoporosis Study (EPOS)

Abstract

A woman 65 years of age with one vertebral fracture has a one in four chance of another fracture over 5 years, which can be reduced to one in eight by treatment. Positive treatment decisions are often contingent on identifying a vertebral fracture. Selective use of lateral vertebral X-rays can be optimized using a 2-minute screening procedure administered by a nurse.