Family Medicine

Answer 3 Take 1200 mg of calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily. This patient has no risk factors for osteoporosis. Although oral steroids are a recognized cause of increased bone loss in adults, inhaled steroids are not. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) advises that all individuals consume at least 1200 mg of calcium and 400 to 800 IU vitamin D daily.1 The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that physicians conduct routine BMD screening for all women older than 65 years.3 For women with risk factors for osteoporosis, screening is recommended beginning at age 60 years. Alendronate is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Calcitonin is approved for treatment of osteoporosis only, not prevention. REFERENCES 1. National Osteoporosis Foundation physician’s guide to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Available at: http://www.nof.org/physguide. Accessed 30 Sep 2003. 2.US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: recommendations and rationale. Am Fam Physician 2002;66:1430–2. Click here to return to the questions

Hospital Physician     JCOM     Seminars in Medical Practice Hospital Physician Board Review Manuals About TWC    Subscribe    Contact TWC    Home    Search   Site Map Copyright © 2009, Turner White Communications Updated 1/04/08 • kkj