A recent study from the NEJM in Jan, 2012 revealed that women who have normal bone mineral density tests or mild osteopenia do not need to repeat the test for 15 years. The study showed that very few of these women developed osteoporosis during that 15 years. For baseline osteopenia, 5 years is an appropriate interval but for advanced osteopenia, 1 year intervals are recommended.

COMMENT: It is very common for doctors to repeat these tests every 2-3 years, which is unnecessary. As I have mentioned previously, there are many doctors who treat osteopenia, also unnecessary. However, there are other factors that can affect fracture risk and this study did not address those factors. They include cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, low body mass index (BMI), low dietary calcium intake, vitamin D deficiency, prolonged immobilization, little or no physical activity, visual impairment and frequent falls.