Patients with respiratory disease have decreased mean bone mineral density (BMD) and thereby increased risk of fractures compared to people without respiratory disease. A clinical screening tool was developed to identify patients unlikely to have low BMD who do not require bone densitometry, and estimated number needed to screen (NNS) and number needed to treat to prevent one hip fracture in this patient group. The screening tool was found to have a high negative predictive value, and therefore may assist clinicians to identify those who would benefit most from densitometry. Using this screening tool together with NNS may enable the development of a cost-effective screening programme for low BMD in respiratory patients.Thesis (M.Med.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Medicine, 2003
