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What is the threshold for treating osteoporosis in a patient with a greater than ___ % risk of major osteoporotic fracture over 10 years?
10%
15%
20%
25%
The correct answer is: 20%
The threshold for initiating treatment for osteoporosis in a patient is based on the calculated risk of a major osteoporotic fracture over a 10-year period. Current clinical guidelines recommend that treatment should be considered for individuals who have a risk of 20% or greater for experiencing a major osteoporotic fracture, which highlights the importance of using risk stratification in decision-making for osteoporosis management. This threshold of 20% is derived from data that suggest patients at this level of risk are likely to benefit from pharmacologic intervention to reduce fracture risk. Factors contributing to this calculation typically include age, sex, family history, body mass index, and certain clinical risk factors which are assessed via tools like the FRAX score. For risks below this threshold, it is generally recommended to focus on lifestyle modifications such as increased physical activity, fall prevention strategies, and ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, rather than initiating medication. Therefore, the 20% threshold underlines the significance of targeting treatment to those with clinically significant fracture risk, optimizing both patient outcomes and healthcare resources.