Osteoporosis detection by a simple physical function test

Osteoporosis is under-diagnosed and when left untreated, it can lead to serious fractures that can reduce mobility, living function, and is directly linked to life expectancy. With proper treatment, people are more likely to avoid serious fractures. Doctors and physical therapists at Shinshu University Hospital developed a method to detect possible osteoporosis before going to the hospital. If this detection determines that a patient is likely to have osteoporosis, patients will then be encouraged to have a bone-density test at the hospital.

This study was conducted by a random sampling of the Resident Register. Results are expected to be closer to the actual demographic of the general population than surveys targeting hospital patients and specific volunteers. The osteoporosis detection method used the combination of BMI and a two-step test which is performed by taking two maximum-stride steps and calculating the distance in centimeters divided by the body height in centimeters. This showed a high osteoporosis detection capability that even FOSTA could not achieve, despite the cost of the test being close to zero. The study which targeted postmenopausal women who are at high risk for primary osteoporosis found that if any of the following is true, TST <= 1.30 and BMI <= 23.4, TST <= 1.32 and BMI <= 22.4, TST <= 1.34 and BMI <= 21.6, or TST < 1.24 and any BMI, you are more than five times more likely to have osteoporosis than someone who is not. (Abbreviation: TST, two-step test; BMI, body mass index.)

The epidemiological survey "Obuse Study" is a large cohort study, and the second screening will continue. The ultimate goal, says the corresponding author, Dr. Shota Ikegami is "to present a new model for realizing a healthy society in a super-aged society while conducting a comprehensive health evaluation, not limited to osteoporosis, centered on locomotor examinations and sharing this finding with the world."