Paola Primatesta UCL, UK Other measurements Paola Primatesta UCL, UK

Additional measurements Less likely to be widely accepted because of lack of international standards, higher cost, more limited interest Targeted to specific age groups (e.g. the elderly) or to investigate specific conditions of interest (e.g. lung function)

Criteria for inclusion

Additional measurements

Bone density measurement For detection of osteoporosis, serious public health issue, affecting up to 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 years Currently, measurement of bone mineral density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is the gold standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis Critical issues: cost, standardisation of methods.

Lung function Of main interest are indices of airway obstruction: the FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second), the FVC (forced vital capacity) and the derived ratio FEV1/FVC Lung function is measured by spirometry Critical issues: cost; measurement is difficult to conduct and difficult to standardize.