Dual X-ray absorptiometry may be useful to identify distal radial fracture risk
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
According to study results, dual X-ray absorptiometry as a screening tool for local bone loss may be beneficial in postmenopausal women at risk for distal radial fracture and may help to identify patients who require intervention for osteoporosis.
Researchers retrospectively evaluated 110 postmenopausal women who had a distal radial fracture and 95 postmenopausal therapy women with no fracture history. Investigators compared dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements at the spine, hip and distal part of the forearm between the two groups based on the bone mineral density (BMD), T-score and the proportion of patients with a T-score of -2.5 or less standard deviation (SD). They also assessed regional differences based on the T-score among skeletal sites. The reliability of distal forearm DXA measurement was validated with the assessment of the statistical correlation with volumetric BMD by CT.
Results showed women with distal radial fractures had significantly lower BMD and T-scores compared with women without fractures. Investigators found there was a higher proportion of patients with fractures with a T-score of -2.5 or less SD at the ultra-distal, mid-distal and one-third distal forearm compared with women without fractures. However, the groups were not significantly different with regard to spine measurements and hip measurements. Investigators noted women with fractures had significantly lower T-scores. Also, there was a significantly higher proportion of patients with a T-score of -2.5 or less SD for the three forearm sites vs. the spine and hip. High correlation was seen between DXA measurements at the three distal forearm regions and volumetric BMD by CT. – by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Read more about
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts