Osteoporosis management guidelines around the world now recommend that fracture risk assessment be part of any clinical evaluation for osteoporosis. As a result, rather than relying on bone mineral density values alone, physicians now consider future fracture risk when making treatment decisions.
The WHO Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®), developed by the Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases at the University of Sheffield, is an easy-to-use tool to calculate an individual patient's 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic event (clinical spine, forearm, hip or shoulder fracture) and probability of an osteoporotic hip fracture. Since June 2011 alone, the online calculator has been used to assess risk in more than 8 million patients worldwide. Models are currently available for 53 countries.
Today, at the opening of the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, the International Osteoporosis Foundation has launched a new FRAX App to meet the needs of clinicians worldwide. The new FRAX App allows for maximum flexibility in any clinical setting - anyone with a mobile phone or tablet can easily access the most up-to-date version of the calculator.
New FRAX App includes 58 models for 53 countries, full functionality
- PIN Protection for saved assessments;
- Patient Results Management (save, delete & sort options);
- E-mail sharing capability of patient assessment (responses and results);
- Shake-to-Restart assessment functionality
- Updates will be available as new country models are developed.
Free download of FRAX App until April 4, 2014
Due to developer agreement issues, the previous FRAX App version (version 1.x through 3.x) has been discontinued and clinicians who have downloaded the now obsolete version are invited to download the new FRAX App free of charge https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frax/id847593214?ls=1&mt=8 After April 4 (09:00 CET) the App will return to its original low price of $5.99 USD.
All proceeds from the FRAX App go to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), which helps develop and maintain the FRAX tool.
Dr Eugene McCloskey, Professor in Adult Bone Disease and Honorary Consultant at the Metabolic Bone Centre, University of Sheffield UK, stated, "Osteoporosis management guidelines worldwide now recommend that FRAX be used as part of a clinical assessment and to make informed treatment decisions based on scientifically validated risk factors. We are pleased that with the new FRAX App healthcare professionals around the world will benefit from more flexibility in their use of this valuable new assessment tool."
Additional Information
FRAX App
The newly released FRAX App will improve the user experience for the new Apple iOS (operating system) and integrate essential upgrades to the algorithm. It now includes models for the following countries/population groups: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore-Chinese, Singapore-Indians, Singapore-Malays, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, US-Asian, US- Black, US-Caucasian, US-Hispanic.
FRAX App is currently available in English only, however future App upgrades will gradually introduce all current language options.
The FRAX App is produced by Inkrypt Technologies, a software consulting and development firm that specializes in application development for the health industry, non-profits and small to medium-sized organizations. Inkrypt develops custom mobile and cloud-based applications that assist clients in streamlining their processes, promoting their products and initiatives and broadening their user base. For additional information, visit http://www.inkrypt.com.
Note to current users of the FRAX App 1.x-3.x:
FRAX App 1.x-3.x is no longer available. We invite users to download the new FRAX App free of charge until April 4 at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frax/id847593214?ls=1&mt=8
Further information in regard to the discontinuation of FRAX App 1.x-3.x is available at http://www.iofbonehealth.org/frax
About FRAX®
FRAX® is a simple calculation tool that integrates clinical information in a quantitative manner to predict a 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fracture for both women and men in different countries. Developed at the Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Sheffield, UK, the tool assists primary health-care providers to better target people in need of intervention, improving the allocation of health-care resources towards patients most likely to benefit from treatment. http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/
To download FRAX resources including the new smart phone application: http://www.iofbonehealth.org/FRAX
About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world's largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF members, including committees of scientific researchers, leading companies, as well as more than 200 patient, medical and research societies, work together to make bone, joint and muscle health a worldwide heath care priority. http://www.iofbonehealth.org; http://www.facebook.com/iofbonehealth; http://twitter.com/iofbonehealth #OsteoCongress
Media contact
Charanjit K. Jagait, PhD
Communications Director, International Osteoporosis Foundation
Tel.: +41 22 994 01 02
Mob.: +41 79 874 52 08
Email: cjagait@iofbonehealth.org