The app for independent voices
Parkinson’s disease and bone health: why I think screening should be mandatory. Bone health screening refers to testing for weak bones, frequently using a DXA scan that measures bone density and helps identify osteoporosis before fractures occur. Gandhi and colleagues describe in a new paper that just dropped in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease why early bone health assessment should be part of routine Parkinson’s care, and I strongly agree.
Key Points: – Folks w/ Parkinson’s disease have roughly double the risk of osteoporosis and major osteoporotic fractures compared to individuals w/o Parkinson’s. – The increased fracture risk is driven by several factors including reduced mobility, lower body weight, vitamin D deficiency and medication related biological effects. – Despite the elevated risk, osteoporosis screening and treatment remain underutilized, particularly in men and in individuals from poorer communities.
My take: Bone health has historically been overlooked in Parkinson’s disease care, even though fractures can dramatically impact independence and survival. In my practice I screen all Parkinson's for bone health, even men. This study highlights that Parkinson’s itself is an independent risk factor for weak bones and fractures, meaning we should be screening earlier and more consistently. Preventing fractures should be a central goal of Parkinson’s care, not an afterthought. Here are 5 points that resonated w/ me: 1- Parkinson’s disease increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures across ages, sexes and demographic groups. 2- Falls are common in Parkinson’s and weak bones make the consequences of those falls far more dangerous. 3- Bone health screening using tools such as DXA should become a routine part of Parkinson’s management. 4- Treatment for osteoporosis exists and can strengthen bone density and reduce fracture risk. 5- The future of Parkinson’s care should include proactive bone health strategies rather than waiting until a fracture occurs.
