Osteoporosis risk — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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HardMusculoskeletal investigationsOsteoporosis riskSCE Rheumatology

A 68-year-old woman has a low-trauma vertebral fracture and takes aromatase inhibitor therapy. Examination shows kyphosis. Calcium and ALP are normal. What is the most appropriate investigation?

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Correct answer: E — DEXA scan

The best answer is “DEXA scan”. DEXA quantifies bone mineral density and informs fracture prevention. The distractors investigate different diseases and would not answer the immediate diagnostic question. The most useful rheumatology investigation is the one that changes diagnosis, urgency or treatment choice. The competing options represent related diagnoses, tests or treatments, but they do not match the decisive phenotype, safety constraint or management point in this stem.

Reference: NOGG fracture-risk assessment: https://www.nogg.org.uk/full-guideline/section-3-fracture-risk-assessment-and-case-finding