Integrated protocol for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bone mass degradation

摘要

The present invention provides improved methods and systems for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of a bone related condition such as osteoporosis. The present invention integrates bone mass measurement techniques with various preventive and treatment measures to create a protocol for prevention and treatment of the bone related condition. In one embodiment, a medical practitioner treats bone mass degradation occurring in a patient by measuring a bone characteristic level in at least one of the patient's bones to yield a score, conducting a gait analysis to yield a gait characterization, measuring a bone mass marker concentration in at least one of the patient's body fluids to yield a bone marker level, and prescribing one or more therapies. Optionally, the treatment may include designating a future time to repeat the measurement of a bone characteristic level, the gait analysis, and the measurement of bone marker level.