Osteoporosis | Right Decisions

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Drugs affecting bone metabolism
Osteoporosis

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Identification of patients at risk of osteoporosis should be guided by national guidance (refer to links below) and, in special situations where knowledge of bone density will change medical management, eg hyperparathyroidism. See Osteoporosis guidance.

As a general principle, all patients being considered for treatment should have undergone a DXA scan. The exceptions to this would be patients over 65 years on maintenance steroids or low trauma fracture patients considered too frail to attend for DXA.

Useful links:

SIGN Guideline 142: Management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures
Osteoporosis – Secondary Prevention (www.nice.org.uk)
Recommendations for the Prevention and Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
(https://rheumatology.org/api/asset/blt8610cbeb2dbee966 )
WHO Fracture Risk Assessment tool (http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/tool.jsp)
Guideline for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis (http://www.shef.ac.uk/NOGG/NOGG_Pocket_Guide_for_Healthcare_Professionals.pdf)

Bisphosphonates used in osteoporosis (Formulary)

Calcium and vitamin D (Formulary)

Other drugs for osteoporosis (Formulary)