An increasing number of physicians around the world are using FRAX®, a scientifically validated online fracture-risk calculator that has been developed by the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases at the University of Sheffield, UK. FRAX is freely available at http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/ .
FRAX is considered a major milestone in helping health professionals to improve identification of patients at high risk of fracture. The calculator is country-specific and can be used with or without the input of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) values to determine an individual's 10-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture.
What's new in Version 3.8?
Version 3.8, released on May 1st, offers a total of 58 models for 53 countries. With four new languages added since the previous update, the calculator can now be utilized in a choice of 28 languages.
- Country models are now available for Armenia (surrogate model), Brazil, Iceland, Morocco and Thailand
- An updated model has been released for China
- New languages include Icelandic, Lithuanian, Portuguese and Thai
- BMD input from Mindways QCT has now been incorporated
- The calculation tool has been rewritten to not require Adobe Flash; it can now work on more Apple devices e.g. the iPad
Downloadable charts for the new countries will shortly be available on the FRAX website.
Dr. Eugene McCloskey, Professor in Adult Bone Disease and Honorary Consultant at the Metabolic Bone Centre, University of Sheffield UK, stated, "Whereas doctors formerly relied primarily on BMD values in making treatment decisions, FRAX® now helps clinicians make more informed decisions based on multiple scientifically validated risk factors. We are pleased that with version 3.8, patients in five additional countries are now able to benefit from this important fracture risk assessment tool."
In addition to the free online version, and to expand accessibility of the tool to clinical settings without internet access, an iPhone application and a Desktop version of FRAX are available in partnership with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).
Related links:
FRAX® website: http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/
FRAX® Desktop: http://www.who-frax.org/
FRAX® iPhone App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frax/id370146412?mt=8
FRAX iPad and informational slide kit: http://www.iofbonehealth.org/frax-information-and-resources