Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42479104›Full record

ArticleArchives of osteoporosis2026

Ten-year re-validation of the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX®) in Taiwan.

Chia-Chun Li, I-Ting Liu, Fu-Wen Liang, Yin-Fan Chang, Chin-Sung Chang, Zih-Jie Sun, Shau-Huai Fu, Chung-Yi Li, Li-Chieh Kuo, Chih-Hsing Wu

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of osteoporosis, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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10 authors.

Chia-Chun Li *Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
I-Ting Liu *Department of Family Medicine, E-DA Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Fu-Wen LiangDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Yin-Fan Chang *Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Chin-Sung ChangDepartment of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Zih-Jie SunDepartment of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Shau-Huai FuDepartment of Orthopedics, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Douliu, Taiwan.
Chung-Yi LiDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Li-Chieh KuoInstitute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. jkkuo@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
Chih-Hsing WuDepartment of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. paulo@mail.ncku.edu.tw.ORCID 0000-0002-0504-2053

Funding

Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan MOST 108-2314-B-006-043-MY2Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan MOST 110-2314-B-006-054-MY2National Cheng Kung University Hospital T11303017National Cheng Kung University Hospital T11303042National Cheng Kung University Hospital T11409002National Science and Technology Council NSTC112-2314-B-006-023-MY3
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The Taiwan-specific fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) model is widely used to estimate 10-year fracture risk. However, FRAX with bone mineral density (BMD) may underestimate fracture risk, particularly in older adults. PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive performance and calibration of the Taiwan-specific FRAX calculator using complete 10-year real-world outcomes and to establish data-driven, population-specific screening thresholds.

methodsA total of 1,976 participants aged ≥ 40 years were recruited from two population-based cohorts in Taiwan (2009-2010) and followed for 10 years via linkage with the National Health Insurance Research Database. Ten-year probabilities of major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) and hip fracture (HF) were estimated using Taiwan-specific FRAX calculators. Model calibration was evaluated using observed-to-expected (O/E) ratios. Statistically optimal thresholds were determined via receiver operating characteristic analysis maximizing the Youden index.

resultsDuring follow-up, 213 (10.8%) participants experienced MOF, and 93 (4.7%) experienced HF. FRAX without BMD demonstrated strong calibration for both MOF (O/E = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.94-1.24) and HF (O/E = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.89-1.34). Conversely, FRAX with BMD systematically underestimated risk, particularly among individuals aged ≥ 65 years (MOF O/E = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.06-1.42). Age, female sex, prior fracture, and low BMD were significant independent risk factors. Crucially, population-specific data-driven thresholds were identified via ROC analysis at 9.0% for MOF and 4.5% for HF using FRAX without BMD, and 8.5% for MOF and 4.0% for HF using FRAX with BMD, respectively.

conclusionFRAX® remains a useful and widely applied tool for fracture risk prediction in Taiwan. However, fracture risk may be underestimated, particularly in adults aged ≥ 65 years. Taiwan-specific, data-driven thresholds may improve risk stratification and support more targeted fracture prevention strategies.

Indexed as

Osteoporotic FracturesAdultAgedAged, 80 and overBone DensityFemaleHip FracturesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsTaiwanBone mineral densityData-driven thresholdFracture risk predictionFRAXOsteoporotic fracturePopulation-specific

Identifiers

PMID42479104
PMCPMC13388683

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.