FRAX is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate the 10-year probability of bone fracture risk. It was developed by the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases at Sheffield University.[1] FRAX integrates clinical risk factors and bone mineral density at the femoral neck to calculate the 10-year probability of hip fracture and the 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture (clinical spine, forearm, hip or shoulder fracture).[2]
FRAX is accessible online, in paper-form as a FRAX Pad and as a mobile application. The tool is compatible with 30 country models and in 14 languages.[1]
The models used to develop the FRAX diagnostic tool were derived from studying patient populations in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.[3] Clinical risk factors assessed include a prior fragility fracture, parental history of hip fracture, current tobacco smoking, long-term use of glucocorticoids, rheumatoid arthritis, other causes of secondary osteoporosis and daily alcohol consumption. FRAX diagnoses are intended to provide guidance for determining access to treatment in healthcare systems.[4]