The system is based on a simple, validated test known as FRAX, which was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Medical professionals may enter their patients' information online (http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/tool.aspx?country=4) or advise their patients to take the test themselves.

The study involved adapting the tool to the Spanish population and demonstrating its effectiveness at preventing the risk of osteoporosis in women over the age of 40 in the subsequent 10 years.

Osteoporosis is the most prevalent bone disease and affects women in particular, with a female-to-male ratio of four to one.

There were around 50,000 hip fractures in men and women over the age of 50 inSpain in 2010. Osteoporosis costs approximately 780 million euros a year.

Being able to predict the risk of osteoporosis-related fracture in women over 40 is a fundamental factor in improving the quality of life of those affected and reducing associated healthcare costs.

In 2007, WHO launched FRAX (http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/tool.aspx?country=4), a software tool available in 20 languages that allows users to predict their risk of suffering a fracture in the following 10 years.

A study carried out by researchers from the IDIAP Jordi Gol analysed the effectiveness of the tool after adapting it to the female population. The researchers used the FRAX text to assess the risk of osteoporosis in 2,000 women and then monitored the same women over a 10-year period, during which time any fractures the women suffered were recorded to check the tool's predictions.

Dr. Azagra, the study's coordinator, is also a researcher at the IDIAP, a lecturer at the UIC Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and a professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). He said, “Once it was adapted to our population, the tool proved to be effective. It can identify women at low risk (who have a 5% to 10% chance of suffering a fracture due to fragile bones) and women at high risk (whose risk of suffering a fracture is greater than 20%). Using this calibrated test, women with a high or intermediate risk of fracture due to osteoporosis can be identified during primary care consultations. These women can then be given a bone density test to complete the analysis of their bone health”.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the most prevalent bone disease in Spain and affects women in particular, with a female-to-male ratio of four to one. Its main consequence is fractures due to fragile bones. Furthermore, osteoporosis is a major cause of disability and dependency and involves an increased mortality risk, especially in elderly people, who are the most vulnerable.

Dr. Azagra said, “The concentration of calcium in your bones is the highest when you’re in your twenties, and the loss of this calcium starts occurring after the menopause”.

Good bone health is determined by genetic and environmental factors, so it is important to avoid things that are harmful to bones, including alcohol consumption and smoking, and to take regular exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle. There is growing concern about bone health, so this adaptation of the WHO's FRAX tool to prevent new fractures in women has become a key factor in prevention.

Dr. Azagra concluded by saying, “The study we have conducted allowed us to identify the women at greatest risk of having osteoporosis and fractures in the future, and who should change their habits and lifestyles or start taking medication specifically for osteoporosis”.

What is the IDIAP?

The Jordi Gol i Gurina Foundation was created by the Catalan Healthcare Institute (ICS) in 1995. Its aim is to promote and manage innovation, training, teaching, and clinical, epidemiological and health services-related research in the field of primary healthcare.

In 2006, the foundation’s name was changed to the Jordi Gol Institute for Research into Primary Healthcare (IDIAP Jordi Gol). In 2010, it became part of the UAB as a university research institute.

In August 2011, it received the ISO 9001:2008 quality certification for its activities relating to advice and support for research projects.

See article: http://zl.elsevier.es/es/revista/medicina-clinica-2/articulo/la-herramienta-frax-sup-sup-prevencion-90269025