How AI Is changing the way we predict and prevent osteoporosis

‘A 2022 study in Nature Medicine showed that AI models could predict future fractures with greater accuracy than traditional methods, even in patients with normal bone density.’

Written by Guest

Updated: May 17, 2025 19:45 IST

'Osteoporosis causes bones to become fragile, often without warning. But new AI tools can analyze a person’s health data to spot early signs of bone loss.' (Image: Pexels)

By Shailendra Vyas

Artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing big changes to healthcare, especially in preventing diseases before they start. One area seeing major improvement is osteoporosis risk assessment. AI can now help doctors predict who might develop weak bones—even before symptoms show up.

Osteoporosis causes bones to become fragile, often without warning. But new AI tools can analyze a person’s health data to spot early signs of bone loss. This means doctors can take action earlier, possibly preventing painful fractures later. A 2022 study in Nature Medicine showed that AI models could predict future fractures with greater accuracy than traditional methods, even in patients with normal bone density.

How AI works in this area

AI looks at many types of information at once—like medical history, lifestyle habits, blood tests, scans, and even family health history. By combining all this, AI creates a risk score that shows how likely someone is to develop osteoporosis in the future.

Unlike standard methods, which often rely on just one scan (like a DEXA scan), AI can see patterns across different types of data. These patterns can reveal hidden risks that doctors might otherwise miss.

Personalised care for every patient

One of the biggest advantages of AI is personalization. Instead of giving everyone the same advice, AI tools tailor their suggestions to each individual. For example, someone with a family history of osteoporosis or who has diabetes (a known risk factor) might need more aggressive prevention. Personalized plans can include lifestyle tips, diet, supplements, or even early medication.

More than just diagnosis

These AI systems don’t stop at predicting risk. They also help create full care plans—suggesting treatments, changes in diet or exercise, and even helping doctors decide how best to use hospital resources.

According to a 2023 WHO digital health report, using AI to guide preventive care could save billions in future treatment costs and improve overall patient outcomes. To work well, AI needs lots of high-quality data. Companies and researchers are now collecting anonymous health records from hospitals, refining AI models based on real-world outcomes. The more patients these systems analyze, the smarter and more accurate they get.

Looking ahead: Predicting more than one disease

In the future, AI might not only predict osteoporosis but also assess the risk for multiple diseases at once—like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. This could revolutionize how we care for aging populations, allowing for earlier and better-targeted interventions across a wide range of health issues.