[The diagnosis of osteoporosis]

The diagnosis of Osteoporosis on WHO Technical Report of Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis in 2003, in addition to present status in Japan, has been reviewed. Since Technical Report of Assessment of Fracture Risk and Its Application to Screening for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis was published by WHO in 1994, the field of osteoporosis has progressed remarkably. In particular, in regard to methods of measuring bone mass or density, diagnosis, assessment of fracture risk, and assessment of osteoporosis, this Technical Report describes evidences, confirmed from current many data, and provides informations available to osteoporosis practice. This Report also shows future direction and issues of osteoporosis which should be resolved.