• History of fracture after age of 40
• History of hip, wrist or vertebral fracture in a first-degree relative
• Advanced age (75 years or older)
• Race (Caucasian)
• Dementia with increased likelihood of falls
• Poor general health/frailty.

• Known low bone mineral density
• Smoking
• Low body weight (< 57.8 kg)
• Estrogen deficiency due to:
  • Early menopause (< age 45 years)
  • Prolonged premenopausal amenorrhea (> six months)
  • Low calcium intake
  • Glucocorticoid use (at least 7.5 mg prednisone/day, or equivalent, for at least three months) or endogenous hypercortisolism
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Caffeine (daily intake > 190 mg, equivalent to > one cup)
  • Impaired eyesight despite adequate correction
  • Recurrent falls
  • Inadequate physical activity.
• Low calcium intake
• Glucocorticoid use (at least 7.5 mg prednisone/day, or equivalent, for at least three months) or endogenous hypercortisolism
• Alcohol abuse
• Caffeine (daily intake > 190 mg, equivalent to > one cup)
• Inadequate physical activity.

Additionally, risk factors for fracture, which are modifiable include:

• Impaired eyesight despite adequate correction.
• Recurrent falls (2, 3).

(1)Brown JP, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis in Canada. CMAJ 2002;167(10 Suppl):S1-S34.
(2)Halton Region Health Department. Falls Risk Checklist.
(3) State of Queensland (Queensland Health). Falls prevention: Risk assessment action plan. In: Best Practice Guidelines
for Public Hospitals and State Government Residential Aged Care Facilities Incorporating a Community Integration Supplement. Goprint, Queensland, Australia, 2003,pp. 94.*

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