The 2024 UK clinical guideline for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
Gregson, Celia L Armstrong, David J Avgerinou, Christina Bowden, Jean Cooper, Cyrus Douglas, Lucy Edwards, John Gittoes, Neil J L Harvey, Nicholas C Kanis, John A
Gregson, Celia L
Armstrong, David J
Avgerinou, Christina
Bowden, Jean
Cooper, Cyrus
Douglas, Lucy
Edwards, John
Gittoes, Neil J L
Harvey, Nicholas C
Kanis, John A
Affiliation
University of Bristol; North Bristol NHS Trust; Royal United Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Ulster University; Sterndale Surgery; University College London; University of Southampton; University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; University of Oxford; Lindley Group Practice Huddersfield; East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Keele University; Wolstanton Medical Centre; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; University of Birmingham; University of Sheffield; Royal Osteoporosis Society; Marcham Road Health Centre; Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre; St. George's University Hospital; Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; University of Cambridge; University of Aberdeen; University Hospital Llandough; Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
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Publication date
2025-09-08
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Abstract
The National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) has updated the revised UK guideline for the assessment and management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures in postmenopausal women, and men age 50 years and older. This guideline is relevant for all healthcare professionals involved in osteoporosis management.
Introduction: The UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) first produced a guideline on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in 2008, with updates in 2013, 2017 and 2021. This paper presents a minor update of the 2021 guideline, the scope of which is to review the assessment and management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures in postmenopausal women and men aged 50 years and older.
Methods: Where available, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials have been used to provide the evidence base. Conclusions and recommendations have been systematically graded according to the strength of the available evidence.
Results: Review of the evidence and recommendations are provided for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, fracture-risk assessment and intervention thresholds, management of vertebral fractures, non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments, including duration and monitoring of anti-resorptive therapy, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, as well as models of care for fracture prevention. Recommendations are made for training, service leads and commissioners of healthcare, and for review criteria for audit and quality improvement. Specific 2024 updates include guidance on fracture risk assessment by ethnicity, Parkinson's disease, Down's syndrome and lower-limb amputation; furthermore, the definition of very high fracture risk has been clarified. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is now recommended as a first-line treatment option in younger postmenopausal women with high fracture risk and low baseline risk for adverse events; recommendations regarding abaloparatide are included; additional training resources have been added.
Conclusion: The guideline provides a comprehensive overview of the assessment and management of osteoporosis for all healthcare professionals involved in its management. This position paper has been endorsed by the International Osteoporosis Foundation and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO).
Citation
Gregson CL, Armstrong DJ, Avgerinou C, Bowden J, Cooper C, Douglas L, Edwards J, Gittoes NJL, Harvey NC, Kanis JA, Leyland S, Low R, McCloskey E, Moss K, Parker J, Paskins Z, Poole K, Reid DM, Stone M, Tomson J, Vine N, Compston J; National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG). The 2024 UK clinical guideline for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Arch Osteoporos. 2025 Sep 8;20(1):119. doi: 10.1007/s11657-025-01588-3.
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Article