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NOF Clarifies NEJM Study Findings
NOF Responds to Media Coverage of the New England Journal of Medicine study “Bone-Density Testing Interval and Transition to Osteoporosis in Older Women” and Encourages Current Patients to Continue Working with their Healthcare Providers to Regularly Monitor their Condition
The study published in last week’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggesting that frequent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) tests may not be necessary for post-menopausal women with normal or only mildly low bone mineral density (BMD) is good news, but the findings should not be misinterpreted by those already diagnosed with osteoporosis or with low BMD.
NOF advises current osteoporosis patients and those with low BMD (indicated by T-scores between -2.0 and -2.49) to continue having DXA tests every two years or as advised by a healthcare professional to monitor their condition.
It’s also important that all post-menopausal women discuss their risk factors for osteoporosis with their healthcare provider to determine when they should receive their first DXA test. Currently only 13 percent of Medicare beneficiaries report ever having a single DXA test, a sign that the vast majority of women aren’t getting the baseline test to inform their healthcare providers of their risk factors and determine how carefully their bone density should be tracked going forward.
Bone density tests are not the sole basis for treatment decisions, but are an important weapon in preventing the serious consequences of osteoporosis which affects nearly 44 million Americans. Working with your healthcare professional, other important risk factors, including age, should be taken into account to identify your risk for osteoporosis and fracture.
The population of the NEJM study was made up of healthy women with normal or low BMD over a wide range of values, not those with osteoporosis or prior fractures. Therefore, the guidance for osteoporosis patients remains unchanged and NOF advises women with osteoporosis to continue working with their healthcare providers to have DXA tests conducted at two-year intervals, or as recommended, to monitor their condition.
The latest
Last week, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Panel voted that the risks of calcitonin salmon outweigh the benefits for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The panel joined health authorities around the world in reviewing the drug’s safety after two recent studies showed slightly higher rates of cancer among patients taking calcitonin. The panel voted against continued use of the drug by a narrow majority, pointing out that it has not been found very effective in preventing bone fractures.
In today's Washington Post article "Calcium and Vitamin D findings show that caring for your bones can be compilicated," NOF's senior clinical director, Dr. Felicia Cosman helps clear up some of the confusion around the recent and conflicting research on calcium and vitamin D. She says: "It’s confusing, even for doctors. But there’s a common thread: None of the heart or kidney risks were associated with calcium from food."
CIRCA, the leading international buyer of fine jewelry, diamonds and watches, announced a new partnership with NOF at a Generations of Strength luncheon at the Friars Club in New York City on February 26. To kick-off the partnership, CIRCA’s Acting CEO Mary L. Forté presented NOF Executive Director and CEO Amy Porter with a check for $25,000, to support NOF’s mission.
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