This statement summarizes the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for osteoporosis and the supporting scientific evidence, and it updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, second edition.¹ Explanations of the ratings and of the strength of overall evidence are given in Appendix A and Appendix B, respectively. The complete information on which this statement is based, including evidence tables and references, is available in the accompanying article, Screening for osteoporosis: a review of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force² and in the Systematic Evidence Review³ on this topic, which can be obtained through the USPSTF Web site (http://www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov) and in print through the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse (call 1-800-358-9295) or E-mail ahrqpubs/at/ahrq.gov.

Contents

Summary of Recommendations

Clinical Considerations

Scientific Evidence

Recommendations of Others

Appendix A. USPSTF Recommendations and Ratings

Appendix B. USPSTF Strength of Overall Evidence

Acknowledgments

Reprints

References