Ten-year re-validation of the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX®) in Taiwan
Journal
Archives of Osteoporosis
Journal Volume
21
Journal Issue
1
ISSN
1862-3514
Date Issued
2026-07-21
Author(s)
Li, Chia-Chun
Liu, I.‑Ting
Liang, Fu‑Wen
Chang, Yin-Fan
Chang, Chin-Sung
Sun, Zih-Jie
Li, Chung-Yi
Kuo, Li-Chieh
Wu, Chih-Hsing
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.
Methods: A 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.
Results: During 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.
Conclusion: FRAX® 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.
Subjects
Bone mineral density
Data-driven threshold
FRAX
Fracture risk prediction
Osteoporotic fracture
Population-specific
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Type
journal article