What are the four key data points used in the COSA assessment?

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The COSA assessment utilises four specific data points to evaluate an individual's risk of osteoporosis.

The Chinese Osteoporosis Screening Algorithm (COSA) requires information on an individual's sex, age, body weight, and prior fracture history to determine their risk of developing osteoporosis. Developed by the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at The University of Hong Kong, COSA is specifically calibrated for the Chinese population, achieving an accuracy rate between 74% and 94% in risk assessment for this demographic. This structured screening programme has been implemented in community pharmacies across Hong Kong, aiming to identify at-risk individuals for prompt referral and diagnosis.
Sex, age, body weight, and prior fracture history are the core components of the COSA evaluation.

These four data points form the basis of the COSA tool, which was created to address the need for a culturally specific and accurate osteoporosis risk assessment for Chinese individuals. The algorithm's development by HKUMed's LKS Faculty of Medicine highlights a targeted approach to a significant public health concern within this population group.
The COSA tool was developed by The University of Hong Kong for the Chinese population.

Recognising potential biases in existing risk prediction tools due to ethnic variations, the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at HKUMed engineered COSA. This initiative ensures a more precise assessment for Chinese demographics, distinguishing it from tools like FRAX and OSTA.
The COSA screening programme has been deployed in Hong Kong community pharmacies.

This initiative leverages the accessibility of community pharmacies to proactively identify individuals at high risk of osteoporosis. The programme facilitates timely referrals to family physicians for further clinical evaluation, including bone mineral density assessments and diagnosis, thereby addressing the issue of widespread undiagnosed osteoporosis.
Approximately 60% of approached high-risk individuals agreed to the COSA assessment.

During the programme's deployment, over 1,000 high-risk individuals were approached, with about 60% consenting to the COSA assessment. This engagement rate underscores the effectiveness of the community pharmacy setting in raising awareness and encouraging proactive health management. Furthermore, over 100 individuals were identified as being at very high risk and subsequently referred for further diagnostic workup.

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What are the four key data points used in the COSA assessment?

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