Low bone risk fractured

The widely held view that women suffering from low bone density are more likely to suffer a fracture doesn't stack up. New research shows that only half the people considered to be at most danger from a fracture because of their reduced bone density

Despite this, the UK government's Department of Health is pressing for more screening of women through bone densitometry tests.

In a criticism of a recent report from the Advisory Group on Osteoporosis, Prof Trevor Sheldon from the University of York, asks: ". . .whose interest will best be served by recommending the increased purchase of bone densitometry. . . the general public or the equipment and pharmaceutical suppliers?"

The advisory group has recommended that bone densitometry should be used for testing patients likely to have low bone mass, such as women going through the menopause.