THE NEW PARADIGM IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS: PREDICTION OF A 10-YEAR ABSOLUTE RISK OF FRACTURE (CALCULATOR FRAX)

New tool to assess fracture probability — the 10-year absolute fracture risk (calculator FRAX), released by WHO in 2008 - is discussed in this review. Dual-energyX-rays absorptiometry (DXA) is considered as a gold standard of diagnosis of osteoporosis. The goal of FRAX was to improve the prognostic performance of densitometry in assessing fracture risk through adding the information on different clinical risk factors independent of bone mineral density. The methodology used in searching for the risk factors included in FRAX is reviewed. Disadvantages and limitations of FRAX as well as ways of it implementation in clinical practice are discussed.