Online Learning Prep Group

Current 2026 guidelines emphasize proactive screening for populations at the highest risk of bone-related injuries. All women aged 65 and older and men aged 70 and older are recommended for a baseline DEXA scan. However, screening is often initiated earlier for individuals with specific risk factors, such as a history of fractures after age 50, a family history of hip fractures, or a body mass index (BMI) below 20.

The FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) further refines these guidelines by incorporating the DEXA results with clinical risk factors—such as smoking status, alcohol consumption, and rheumatoid arthritis—to calculate a patient’s 10-year probability of suffering a major osteoporotic fracture. This comprehensive approach ensures that treatment is not based solely on a single number but on an individualized risk profile that accounts for the patient's entire medical history and lifestyle.