Rationale for osteoporosis screening in men.

The US Preventive Services Task Force has not recommended osteoporosis screening in men. Department of Veterans Affairs clinicians reviewed the literature on male osteoporosis screening and treatment. They concluded that targeted screening identifies men at risk and osteoporosis drugs reduce fracture risk similarly in men and women.

Purpose/introduction: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has found insufficient evidence for recommending for or against osteoporosis screening in men. Department of Veterans Affairs osteoporosis experts reviewed the literature on osteoporosis screening and treatment in men.

Methods: Although not done systematically, the literature was reviewed by a panel of 20 Department of Veterans Affairs clinicians with extensive experience with osteoporosis in men. Virtual meetings and multiple email communications resulted in a consensus.

Results: Screening, particularly targeted screening in men, has been found to identify men at risk for fracture. Prior studies have shown osteoporosis drugs have similar effects in men and women. A recent large observational trial demonstrated that hip fracture risk is similarly reduced for both sexes by current medications.

Conclusion: The consensus of the panel was that targeted screening of men for osteoporosis would lead to greater use of osteoporosis medication, lowering fracture risk.