The development of techniques to measure BMD enables individuals at high risk of osteoporotic fracture to be identified, and their response to treatment to be ascertained. Measurement of the spine and proximal femur by DXA is currently the gold standard technique, but peripheral skeletal measurements using QUS and x-ray based techniques are under evaluation. At the present time measurements should be targeted to individuals within high risk categories in whom knowledge of BMD may influence management. Further development of both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies will require modification of current practice in the future.
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