adult screening programme

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Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones, causing them to become thin and weak. It usually affects people during old age, when the body becomes less able to replace worn-out bone.

Read more about osteoporosis on the NHS website.

UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in December 2019.

Screening is not currently recommended for this condition.

The UK NSC does not recommend screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. This is because:

  • it is not known how accurate screening tests are in the women who would screened
  • it is not known what effect treatment and changes in lifestyle would have on some types of fracture
  • it is not known what effect treatment and changes in lifestyle will have on women identified as being at risk of fracture through screening
  • research shows that screening all women does not reduce the number of fractures compared to current care

There is some evidence that hip fracture may be reduced by screening. More research is needed to understand if this is correct.

Supporting documents from the 2019 review

Evidence summary osteoporosis (2019)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.

UK NSC coversheet & consultation responses osteoporosis (2019)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.

Review cycle

Date previous review completed: 2019

Next review estimated to be completed: 2022 to 2023.

To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.

Organisations interested in Osteoporosis

These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.

List of organisations

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