Should U.S. men start being screened at 65 the way men in Canada are?
Our study did not support any particular age at which men should get a bone density test. We looked at men over 50. You found that the single strongest predictor of osteoporosis was low weight. Men below 155 pounds had the highest risk, those from 155 to 175 pounds somewhat lower risk, and those at 176 pounds and up no increased risk. How could height not be taken into account? When you’re developing something you want people to use, you want to keep it simple, and there’s nothing simpler than weight. Doctors are compulsive about putting patients on the scales every time they come in. So that figure will be right there and available. The theory is that lighter people have less adipose tissue and muscle, less padding to protect their bones. Also, the less you weigh, the smaller the load on the spine and hips. You need to put weight on bones to keep them strong. Why is COPD a good indicator of osteoporosis in men? Lots of smokers develop COPD. They tend to be the ones who smoked the most
