An osteoporosis screening service for patients presenting to the fracture clinic in Derriford Hospital Plymouth was established in February 2009. We report on the findings of the first year of patients referred for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) screening.

Patients between 50 and 75 years of age, who sustained a fracture as a result of a fall from standing height or less, who had not previously had a DEXA scan within the last two years, were referred. Patients outside these age limits with other risk factors for osteoporosis were scanned at the discretion of the fracture clinic consultant. Of those patients who were referred, 96% subsequently attended for a scan timed to coincide with their scheduled fracture clinic follow-up appointment.

402 patients were scanned in total, of which 351 were female and 51 were male. The mean patient age was 65. The results for women were as follows: 21% normal, 45% osteopenic, 34% osteoporotic. The results for men were: 19% normal, 43% osteopenic, 38% osteoporotic. The scan results were forwarded to the patient's general practitioner for action as deemed necessary.

These findings support the establishment of this screening service for both men and women.