[Economical efficacy of measurement of bone mineral content for osteoporosis].

Bone mineral content is measured both to disclose a person with fragile bone in the elders and to recognize the effect of anti-osteoporotics in the treatment of osteoporosis. If the persons with fragile bone are given the anti-osteoporotics, applied the hip protectors and guided the prevention of fall, frequency of femoral neck fracture would be reduced to one eighth, indicating 300 billion yen reduction of annual medico-welfare costs in Japan. Although 10% of cost in medicament treatment of osteoporosis are consumed for the measurement of bone mineral content, efficacy proved 2% increase of bone mineral content during 4 months encourages to continue the treatment for both medical doctors and patients.