According to the 2012 NIH Osteoporotic Fractures Study, when should a woman with a normal BMD test at age 65 repeat screening?

The correct interval for repeating screening for osteoporosis in a 65-year-old woman with normal bone mineral density (BMD), as indicated by the 2012 NIH Osteoporotic Fractures Study, is at age 80. This recommendation is grounded in the understanding that while a normal BMD test indicates a lower risk of fractures, ongoing monitoring is necessary due to the natural changes in bone density that occur with aging. By age 80, the cumulative risk for osteoporosis-related fractures increases significantly, justifying the need for rescreening even if the previous BMD test was normal.

Maintaining awareness of the timing for rescreening is crucial, especially for women, who are at higher risk due to factors such as hormonal changes post-menopause. Therefore, a strategy that includes performing the BMD test every five years after the initial normal result aligns with current guidelines aimed at early detection and prevention of osteoporotic fractures.