[NPInfo] Osteopenia meds

[stephanie2u at optonline.net]

Here is a good site which probably covers all your questions:
http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/

I think the short answer is that you only treat osteopenia if several risk factors for osteoporosis (besides osteopenia) are present. The NNT (number needed to treat) is very high for younger patients with few risk factors. You would need to consider what that is for the patient in question. Just for an example, if you have to treat 100 people for 3 years to prevent one case of osteoporosis, then in hindsight you have been treating 99 people who didn't need it. 

Stephanie Walker, FNP

----- Original Message -----
From: vendesue at aol.com
Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 6:35 pm
Subject: [NPInfo] Osteopenia meds
To: npinfo at nurse.net

> 
> Hello all, 
> 
> What criteria do you use when starting patients on an 
> osteopenia/osteoporosis med?? Do you use a combination of T-
> score and risk factors???Are you?using the urinary markers to 
> monitor for bone loss?? IF so, how often?? OR... are you just 
> doing DEXA's every 18 months to 2 years???
> 
> ?Thanks!
> Susan Vendeland, MN, ARNP
> Women's Health and Adult Primary Care
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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