Table 1

Classification of Bone Mineral Density (World Health Organization) [14].

Classification
T-score

Normal
-1.0 or greater
Osteopenia
Between -1.0 and -2.5
Osteoporosis
-2.5 or less
Severe Osteoporosis
-2.5 or less with a fragility fracture

The WHO classification is founded on epidemiological data in postmenopausal Caucasian women with BMD measured at the spine, hip, and forearm. The prevalence of osteoporosis in this group is approximately 30%, which roughly corresponds to the lifetime risk of fragility fracture.

Lewiecki Clinical and Molecular Allergy 2004 2:9   doi:10.1186/1476-7961-2-9