European guidance for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

TLDR

European guidelines for diagnosing and managing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women were first issued in 1997 by the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and Bone disease. This manuscript updates those guidelines for contemporary European practice. The update reviews bone‑density assessment, fracture‑risk evaluation, pharmacologic and general management, monitoring, case‑finding, investigations, health‑economic considerations, and offers a platform for national guideline development.

Abstract

Guidance is provided in a European setting on the assessment and treatment of postmenopausal women with or at risk from osteoporosis. The European Foundation for Osteoporosis and Bone disease (subsequently the International Osteoporosis Foundation) published guidelines for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in 1997. This manuscript updates these in a European setting. The following areas are reviewed: the role of bone mineral density measurement for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and assessment of fracture risk; general and pharmacological management of osteoporosis; monitoring of treatment; assessment of fracture risk; case finding strategies; investigation of patients; health economics of treatment. A platform is provided on which specific guidelines can be developed for national use.