Does the precision of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for bone mineral density differ by sex?

Given larger bone size in men, bone mineral density (BMD) precision might differ between sexes. This study compared dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry BMD precision of 3 International Society for Clinical Densitometry-certified technologists in older men and women. Each technologist scanned a cohort of 30 men and 30 women (total n = 180) by using a Lunar iDXA densitometer (GE Healthcare, Madison, WI).

Positioner and clothing artifact can affect one-third radius bone mineral density measurement.

This report identifies a radius dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) confounder and technical approach to avoid this inaccuracy. Initially, a precision study revealed substantial differences (p<0.001) in radius bone mineral density (BMD) least significant change ranging from 0.

BMD measurement and precision: a comparison of GE Lunar Prodigy and iDXA densitometers.

This study assessed bone mineral density (BMD) comparability and precision using Lunar Prodigy and iDXA densitometers (GE Healthcare, Madison, WI) in adults. Additionally, the utility of supine forearm measurement with iDXA was investigated. Lumbar spine and bilateral proximal femur measurements were obtained in routine clinical manner in 345 volunteers, 202 women and 143 men of mean age 52.

Vitamin K treatment reduces undercarboxylated osteocalcin but does not alter bone turnover, density, or geometry in healthy postmenopausal North American women.

Low vitamin K status is associated with low BMD and increased fracture risk. Additionally, a specific menaquinone, menatetrenone (MK4), may reduce fracture risk. However, whether vitamin K plays a role in the skeletal health of North American women remains unclear.

Effect of female database use for T-score derivation in men.

Whether to use male or female databases to obtain T-scores in men remains controversial. This study evaluated the impact of deriving male T-scores using female databases in 350 men aged 22.8-93.

Addition of right lateral decubitus positioning improves vertebral visualization with VFA in selected patients.

Densitometric vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) allows detection of clinically unappreciated vertebral fracture. However, vertebral visualization using VFA can be suboptimal. In such individuals, alternative spine positioning may enhance visualization.

Interobserver reproducibility of criteria for vertebral body exclusion.

Unlabelled: We studied reproducibility of the ISCD vertebral exclusion criteria among four interpreters. Surprisingly, agreement among interpreters was only moderate, because of differences in threshold for diagnosing focal structural defects and choice of which vertebra among a pair discordant for T-score, area, or BMC to exclude. Our results suggest that reproducibility may be improved by specifically addressing the sources of interobserver disagreement.

Use of the lowest vertebral body T-score to diagnose lumbar osteoporosis in men: is "cherry picking" appropriate?

In this study, we hypothesized that use of the lowest T-score among four lumbar vertebral bodies would lessen the impact of degenerative arthritis and other artifacts on diagnostic categorization at this site and increase study sensitivity, classifying more men with prior fracture as osteoporotic than the other two methods of lumbar spine analysis. Bone density studies of 533 male veterans measured between January and October 2002 were reviewed to determine diagnostic classification using the L1-L4 average, International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD)-determined, and lowest lumbar vertebral body T-score. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of the three methods of spine analysis, using spine osteoporosis to indicate a positive test and prior fracture as the true indicator of osteoporosis.

An overlying fat panniculus affects femur bone mass measurement.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is currently the gold standard technique for osteoporosis diagnosis. However, DXA has limitations, including artifacts, such as degenerative disease or metallic foreign bodies, that may confound bone mineral density (BMD) results. Because fat folds overlying the proximal femur may alter soft-tissue density in a nonuniform manner, this may be a currently unappreciated confounder of proximal femur BMD measurement.

Densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis in men: effect of measurement site and normative database.

Controversy exists regarding which sites to measure, and the appropriate reference database to use, for densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis in men. While hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is routine, spinal osteoarthritis often elevates measured BMD in older men. Additionally, the use of male reference data is standard practice; however, recent reports suggest that a female database may be more appropriate.