Fracture Risk is based on the patient's 10-year risk of osteoporotic fracture: low <10%, moderate 10-20%, or high >20%. (See Osteoporosis Canada's revised "Recommendations for Bone Mineral Density Reporting in Canada" published in the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal 2005; 56(3):178-188.) Patient's Risk is estimated from age, total hip T-score, measured BMI and the following self-reported risk factors: a fracture after age 50, parental hip fracture after age 50, current smoking, need to use arms to stand up from a chair, or current regular oral steroid use. Average Risk is the 10-year osteoporotic fracture risk for an average person of the same age and sex. NNT (number needed to treat) is a measure of treatment effectiveness; the number of patients who need to be treated (for one year) to prevent one adverse outcome (fracture).

For more information see the Manitoba BMD Program website