What is the Origin of FRAX?

Developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases at the University of Sheffield, UK, the name FRAX is an acronym for Fracture Risk Assessment Tool. Its introduction standardized the global approach to identifying individuals at high risk for fragility fractures, moving beyond simple BMD measurements alone. This tool has fundamentally changed clinical guidelines for osteoporosis treatment.

What is the Mechanism of FRAX?

The algorithm employs a complex statistical model that calculates the absolute fracture risk by combining the independent and multiplicative effects of various clinical risk factors, which influence bone strength and propensity for falls. The output provides a patient-specific percentage risk, enabling clinicians to make evidence-based decisions regarding pharmacological intervention or lifestyle modifications. This probabilistic model accounts for the multifactorial etiology of fractures.

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FRAX

Meaning

FRAX is a clinical diagnostic tool, specifically a computerized algorithm, used to estimate the ten-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture (hip, spine, forearm, or shoulder) in individuals aged 40 to 90 years. This assessment integrates clinical risk factors—such as age, body mass index, prior fracture history, and glucocorticoid use—with or without bone mineral density (BMD) values. It is a vital instrument for proactive bone health management and intervention decisions.