Study finds older women can wait up to 15 years to repeat bone scans

Jan 20 2012

The researchers reported that osteoporosis developed more slowly than anticipated.

The New York Times: Osteoporosis Patients Advised To Delay Bone Density Retests
Bone loss and osteoporosis develop so slowly in most women whose bones test normal at age 65 that many can safely wait as long as 15 years before having a second bone density test, researchers report in a new study. …  Medicare pays for a bone density test every two years and many doctors have assumed that is the ideal interval, although national guidelines recommend them only at "regular intervals" (Kolata, 1/18).

The Associated Press: Study: Many Women Can Skip Frequent Bone Scans
New research could mean millions of older women can skip frequent screening tests for osteoporosis: If an initial bone scan shows no big problems, many can safely wait 15 years to have another one, the study suggests. ... The new study feeds concerns that the tests are done too often, at least for some women (Stobbe, 1/18).

NPR's SHOTS blog: Many Older Women May Not Need Frequent Bone Scans
Dr. Margaret Gourlay of the University of North Carolina, who led the study, told Shots her team didn't expect older women with normal or near-normal bone density would take so long to develop osteoporosis. Of the 5,000 women in the study, half were in this low-risk group at the age of 67. Only 10 percent of them developed the disease over about 15 years (Knox, 1/18).

Meanwhile on another subject, federal officials have asked a court to reconsider a decision about compensating bone marrow donors.

Los Angeles Times: U.S. Asks Court To Reconsider Ruling On Bone Marrow Donations
A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously on Dec. 1 that bone marrow filtered from a donor's blood was a blood part, not an organ part, and could be legally sold. But in a petition for rehearing by a full 11-judge panel of the court, Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder, Jr., said the three-judge panel had ignored the clear intent of Congress to prevent money from influencing donation decisions (Williams, 1/19).