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Risk Factors
What puts me at risk for osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis Canada recommends that all postmenopausal women and men over 50 be assessed for osteoporosis risk factors. Post-menopausal women are especially at risk of osteoporosis because at menopause estrogen levels drop. Estrogen plays an important role in keeping women's bones healthy. There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Take this self-assessment to help understand if you are at risk. Risk factors are additive, meaning that the more risk factors you have, the greater your risk of developing osteoporosis. If you are over 50 and have at least one of the major risk factors or two or more of the minor risk factors, Osteoporosis Canada recommends that you talk to your physician about being tested for osteoporosis. You can print your results and take them to your next doctor's appointment.
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Your Osteoporosis Risk Assessment Report
Your score indicates that your current risk of osteoporosis is low. However, Osteoporosis Canada suggests that if you are over 50 years of age, you should talk to your doctor about your risk of osteoporosis. Print out this report and show it to your doctor at your next appointment. Smoking, excessive caffeine intake and drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day can increase your risk of osteoporosis. Eating a diet with adequate calcium, ensuring you take sufficient vitamin D and exercising on a regular basis are all important to help maintain your bone health.
Your score indicates that you may be at risk for osteoporosis. The more risk factors you have, the higher your risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis Canada suggests that if you are over 50 years of age, you should talk to your doctor about your risk of osteoporosis. Print out this report and talk to your doctor about your risk of osteoporosis at your next appointment. Smoking, excessive caffeine intake and drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day can increase your risk of osteoporosis. Eating a diet with adequate calcium, ensuring you take sufficient vitamin D and exercising on a regular basis are all important to help maintain your bone health.
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Important risk factors
- I am age 65 or older
- I have had a vertebral (spinal) compression fracture
- I have broken a bone in a minor fall (from a standing height or less) since I was age 40 or older
- I have a family history (particularly mother’s hip fracture) of osteoporotic fracture
- I reached menopause before age 45
- I have a tendency to fall
- I have used oral steroid medication(s) (e.g. prednisone) for more than 5 months
- I have Crohn's or celiac disease
- I have been diagnosed (confirmed by X-ray) with osteopenia
- I have been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism
- I have been diagnosed with Hypogonadism (low testosterone in men, loss of periods in younger women)
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Lifestyle choices
- I exercise regularly (average ½ hour per day)
- I have trouble getting enough exercise
- My diet contains adequate calcium (RDI for adults over 50 is 1500 mg calcium/day)
- I consume less than the recommended daily amount of calcium (RDI for adults over 50 is 1500 mg calcium/day)
- I take a daily calcium supplement
- I take a daily multi-vitamin
- I take a daily vitamin D supplement
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My Drug Coverage
- I have a private drug coverage plan
- I have coverage under a government plan
- I do not have any drug coverage
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Other risk factors
- My weight is less than 125 lbs (57 kg)
- I weigh at least 10% less than I weighed at age 25
- I drink more than 4 caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, cola) per day
- I drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day
- I smoke
- I have a low calcium diet
- I have rheumatoid arthritis
- I have hyperthyroidism
- I have taken anti-convulsant medication(s) for a prolonged period
- I have taken heparin for a prolonged period
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Treatment Preferences
- I prefer to take my medication(s) as pills
- I would like to take my pills once-a-day
- I would like to take my pills once-a-week
- I would like to take my pills once-a-month
- I prefer to take my medication(s) as a nasal spray
- I prefer to take my medication(s) as an injection
- I prefer to take my medication(s) as an intravenous infusion
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Remember to show this report to your doctor. He/she can help you make lifestyle choices and
if needed, offer treatment choices to help maintain your bone health.
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Adapted from Canadian Guidelines for Osteoporosis ref: http://www.osteoporosis.ca/index.php/ci_id/5529/la_id/1.htmosis
The following questions do not affect your risk of osteoporosis, but they can help your doctor and you identify any lifestyle changes that may help prevent or treat osteoporosis. If you need treatment with a medication this information can also help your doctor select the medication that will best fit your needs
