Comparison of guidelines
| Guideline | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| BSG | Simple approach to investigation and treatment | High frequency of DXA Potential to overtreat |
| NICE | Low cost of investigation and treatment | Applies to post menopausal women not taking steroids only Complex Treatment generally restricted to osteoporosis only |
| FRAX/NOGG | Reproducible assessment of risk Potential to limit DXA costs | Applies to postmenopausal women and men >50 years Approximately 10% incorrectly risk stratified when compared to post-BMD FRAX/NOGG Internet access essential May underestimate risk when lumbar spine <femoral neck BMD by >1 SD |
BMD, bone mineral density; BSG, British Society of Gastroenterology; DXA, dual-emission x-ray absorptiometry; FRAX, fracture risk assessment tool; NICE, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; NOGG, National Osteoporosis Guidelines Group.