Hand BMD measurements may help predict hip fracture risk

Swedish researchers contend that digital X-ray radiogrammetry, or DXR, used in standard hand radiographs to measure bone mineral density (BMD) may also be useful for predicting and preventing hip fractures.

“If we can identify people with osteoporosis and treat them with drugs, we can reduce the risk of hip fracture,” Torkel B. Brismar, MD, PhD, lead author and associate professor of radiology in Karolinska Institute’s department of clinical services, stated in a press release. “Our research shows that DXR is a technique that lends itself well to this, maybe at general health check-ups, or screenings, for example, or when people seek treatment for a suspected hand or wrist fracture.”

Although dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the standard method for measuring bone density, Brismar and colleagues found DXR was at least as effective as DXA. For the study, they studied X-rays from 8,000 men and women aged 40 years and older taken at three hospitals between 2000 and 2008.

When Brismar and colleagues analyzed the images, they discovered DXR could predict low BMD in a sub-group of 122 patients with hip fractures cross-referenced in Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare fracture registry.

Reference:

Wilczek ML. Eur Radiol. 2012;doi:10.1007/s00330-012-2706-9.

Disclosure: The authors conducted the study with financial support from Access to Learning Funds and a grant from the Stockholm County Council. Sectra, a software developer for DXR, analyzed material free of charge and employs two study co-authors.