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Position Statement |
New Mexico Clinical Research & Osteoporosis Center (E.M.L.), Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (N.B.W.), Cincinnati, Ohio 45267; Oregon Osteoporosis Center (M.R.M.), Portland, Oregon 97213; Texas Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology (S.M.P.), Houston, Texas 77054; Stanford University School of Medicine (L.K.B.), Stanford, California 94305; University of California at San Francisco (J.A.S.), San Francisco, California 94143; and Virginia Commonwealth University (R.W.D.), Richmond, Virginia 23298
Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: E. Michael Lewiecki, M.D., New Mexico Clinical Research and Osteoporosis Center, 300 Oak Street Northeast, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106. E-mail: lewiecki{at}aol.com.
| Abstract |
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| Introduction |
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| Methodology |
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| Indications for Bone Density Testing |
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Bone density testing should be done for the following individuals: women 65 yr and older; postmenopausal women under 65 yr with risk factors; men 70 yr and older; adults with a fragility fracture; adults with a disease or condition associated with low bone mass or bone loss; adults taking medications associated with low bone mass or bone loss; anyone being considered for pharmacological therapy; anyone being treated, to monitor treatment effect; and anyone not receiving therapy in whom evidence of bone loss would lead to treatment.
Women discontinuing estrogen should be considered for bone density testing according to the indications listed above.
Comment: The National Osteoporosis Foundation has identified many of the risk factors for osteoporosis and related fractures in white postmenopausal women (15). Major risk factors are personal history of fracture as an adult, history of fragility fracture in a first-degree relative, low body weight [<
57.7 kg (127 lbs)], current smoking, and use of oral glucocorticoid therapy for more than 3 months. Additional risk factors are impaired vision, estrogen deficiency at an early age (<45 yr), poor health/frailty, recent falls, low calcium intake (lifelong), low physical activity, and alcohol in amounts more than two drinks per day. Medical conditions associated with increased risk of osteoporosis include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastrectomy, hyperparathyroidism, hypogonadism, multiple myeloma, and celiac disease. Medications, in addition to oral glucocorticoids, that are associated with reduced bone mass in adults include anticonvulsants, GnRH agonists, excessive T4 doses, and lithium. As with any test in clinical practice, bone density testing should only be done when it is likely to play a role in patient management decisions. For example, in a patient being considered for pharmacological therapy, a bone density test would assume such a role if the results would aid in the decision to start or not start medication, assist in the selection of the type of drug, or provide a baseline measurement for monitoring the effects of therapy. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which only addressed postmenopausal women, also recommends that bone density testing be done for women 65 yr and older and for women 60 yr and older at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures (16).
| Central DXA for Diagnosis |
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Skeletal sites to measure
Measure BMD at both posterior-anterior (PA) spine and hip in all patients. Forearm BMD should be measured under the following circumstances: when hip and/or spine cannot be measured or interpreted, in cases of hyperparathyroidism, or in very obese patients (over the weight limit for DXA table).
Spine region of interest
Use PA L1L4 for spine BMD measurement. Use all evaluable vertebrae and only exclude vertebrae that are affected by local structural change or artifact. Use three vertebrae if four cannot be used and two if three cannot be used. Lateral spine should not be used for diagnosis but may have a role in monitoring.
Hip region of interest
Use total proximal femur, femoral neck, or trochanter, whichever is lowest. BMD may be measured at either hip. Do not use Wards area for diagnosis. There are insufficient data to determine whether mean T-scores for bilateral hip BMD can be used for diagnosis. The mean hip BMD can be used for monitoring, with total hip being preferred.
Forearm region of interest
Use 33% radius (sometimes called one-third radius) of the nondominant forearm for diagnosis. Other forearm regions of interest are not recommended.
Comment: Spine BMD should be interpreted with caution in the elderly because degenerative arthritis in the posterior elements of the spine may result in an artifactual increase in measured BMD. If there are significant structural abnormalities in the spine, then BMD should be measured at the hip and forearm.
| Peripheral Bone Densitometry |
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The WHO classification for diagnosis of osteoporosis and osteopenia should not be used with peripheral BMD measurement other than 33% radius.
Peripheral measurements are useful for assessment of fracture risk and, theoretically, can be used to identify patients unlikely to have osteoporosis and identify patients who should be treated; however, this cannot be applied in clinical practice until device-specific cut-points are established and should not be used for monitoring.
| Densitometric Diagnosis of Osteoporosis |
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Diagnosis in postmenopausal women
The WHO classification (normal, T-score 1.0 or above; osteoporosis, T-score 2.5 or below; osteopenia, T-score between 1.0 and 2.5) should be used. The lowest T-score of PA spine, femoral neck, total hip, trochanter, or the 33% radius, if measured, should be selected.
Diagnosis in men (20 yr and older)
The WHO classification should not be applied in its entirety to men. In men 65 yr and older, T-scores should be used and osteoporosis diagnosed if the T-score is at or below 2.5. In men from 5065 yr, T-scores may be used and osteoporosis diagnosed if both the T-score is at or below 2.5 and other risk factors for fracture are identified. Men at any age with secondary causes of low BMD (e.g. glucocorticoid therapy, hypogonadism, hyperparathyroidism) may be diagnosed clinically with osteoporosis supported by findings of low BMD. The diagnosis of osteoporosis in men under 50 yr should not be made on the basis of densitometric criteria alone.
Diagnosis in premenopausal women (20 yr to menopause)
The WHO classification should not be applied to healthy premenopausal women. Z-scores rather than T-scores should be used. Osteoporosis may be diagnosed if there is low BMD with secondary causes (e.g. glucocorticoid therapy, hypogonadism, hyperparathyroidism) or with risk factors for fracture. The diagnosis of osteoporosis in premenopausal women should not be made on the basis of densitometric criteria alone.
Comment: In premenopausal white women, the age-matched Z-score and the young-adult-matched T-score are likely to be identical or very similar. Discordance between T-scores and Z-scores may occur when there are differences in ethnicity in the reference databases used. If a black premenopausal woman has her T-score calculated using a white female reference database, according to established ISCD positions (2), and her Z-score calculated using a black female reference database, the result may be a Z-score that is significantly lower than the T-score. For example, although a 30-yr-old white woman with low BMD could have a Z-score of 2.3 and a T-score of 2.3 (using a white female reference database for both), a black woman the same age with a Z-score of 2.3 (using a black female reference database) might have a T-score of 1.3 (using a white female reference database). The use of Z-score instead of T-score in premenopausal women serves to emphasize the point that the WHO criteria for BMD classification do not apply and provides a comparison of the patients BMD with a similar population.
Diagnosis in children (males or females <20 yr)
The WHO classification should not be applied to children. T-scores should not be used in children; Z-scores should be used instead. T-scores should not appear in reports or on DXA printouts in children. The diagnosis of osteoporosis in children should not be made on the basis of densitometric criteria alone. Terminology such as low bone density for chronological age may be used if the Z-score is below 2.0. Z-scores must be interpreted in the light of the best available pediatric databases of age- and gender-matched controls. The reference database should be cited in the report. Spine and total body are the preferred skeletal sites for measurement. The value of BMD to predict fractures in children is not clearly determined. There is no agreement on standards for adjusting BMD or bone mineral content for factors such as bone size, pubertal stage, skeletal maturity, and body composition. If adjustments are made, they should be clearly stated in the report. Serial BMD studies should be done on the same machine using the same scanning mode, software, and analysis when appropriate. Changes may be required with growth of the child. Any deviation from standard adult acquisition protocols, such as use of low-density software and manual adjustment of region of interest, should be stated in the report.
| DXA Nomenclature |
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| Summary |
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| Acknowledgments |
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Conference cochairs: Edward S. Leib, M.D. (University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT); Neil C. Binkley, M.D. (University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI); Ronald C. Hamdy, M.D. (East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN); E. Michael Lewiecki, M.D. (New Mexico Clinical Research and Osteoporosis Center, Albuquerque, NM).
Working Group for Diagnosis of Osteoporosis in Men, Premenopausal Women, and Children: David L. Kendler, M.D., chair (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada); Jan Bruder, M.D. (University of Texas, San Antonio, TX); Gary W. Edelson, M.D. (Associated Endocrinologists, West Bloomfield, MI); Ignac Fogelman, BSc, M.D. (Guys Hospital, London, UK); Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan, M.D. (American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon); Didier B. Hans, Ph.D. (Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland); Aliya Khan, M.D. (McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada); Brian C. Lentle, M.D. (University of British Columbia, Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada).
Pediatric DXA Guidelines Project: Laura Bachrach, M.D., chair (Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA); Ellen B. Fung, Ph.D., RD (Childrens Hospital and Research Center, Oakland, CA); Aenor J. Sawyer, M.D. (pediatric orthopedic surgeon, private practice, Oakland, CA).
Working Group for Technical Standardization for DXA: Gary M. Kiebzak, Ph.D., co-chair (St. Lukes Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX); Peg Schmeer, BS, CDT, co-chair (Northwest Bone Densitometry Consultants, Renton, WA); Mary M. Checkovich, MS, CDT (University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinic, Madison, WI); Satvinder Singh Dhaliwal, MSc, CDT (Curtin University, Perth, Australia); Nancy Fagan, RT (BD), CDT (Arizona Rheumatology Center, Phoenix, AZ); Harry K. Genant, M.D., Ph.D. (University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA); Larry G. Jankowski, CDT (Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Morton Grove, IL); Bradford J. Richmond, M.D. (Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH); Elliot N. Schwartz, M.D. (Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education, Oakland, CA).
Working Group for Indications for DXA: Neil C. Binkley, M.D. (University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI) and the ISCD SAC.
Working Group for DXA Reporting and Vertebral Fracture Assessment: Oscar S. Gluck, M.D., chair (Arizona Rheumatology Center, Phoenix, AZ); Michael J. Maricic, M.D., co-chair (Southern Arizona Veterans Administration Health Care System, Tucson, AZ); Susan L. Greenspan, M.D. (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA); Michael Kleerekoper, M.D. (Wayne State University, Detroit, MI); Sergio Ragi Eis, M.D. (Ortopedia-Doencas Osteometabolicas, Praia Do Canto, Brazil); Donna M. Landis, RN, CDT (Osteoporosis D & M Center, Laurel, MD).
Working Group for Nomenclature and Decimal Places in Bone Densitometry: Robert W. Downs, Jr., M.D., chair (Virginia Commonweath University, Richmond, VA); Anthony B. Hodsman, M.D. (St. Josephs Health Centre, London, Ontario, Canada); Akira Itabashi, M.D. (Saitama Medical School, Moroyama, Japan); John A. Shepherd, Ph.D. (University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA); Rogene Tesar, Ph.D., CDT (Endocrinology Thyroid and Osteoporosis Center, Austin, TX).
| Footnotes |
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The complete ISCD position papers were previously published in J Clin Densitom 7:163 (2004).
Abbreviations: BMD, Bone mineral density; DXA, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; ISCD, International Society for Clinical Densitometry; PA, posterior-anterior; PDC, Position Development Conference; SAC, Scientific Advisory Committee; WHO, World Health Organization.
Received January 23, 2004.
Accepted April 30, 2004.
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