Fracture Predicted by Data from Bone Density Studies of Femur
A study published in the August issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine noted that overall risk of developing fractures can be most accurately predicated with total hip measurement from bone density imaging.
The team evaluated a data repository collected by the Manitoba Bone Density Program, which included data from 16,505 women over age 50. All of the women had already undergone dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of both the hip and spine, which is the most common imaging method for fracture prediction. The team also procured patient’s medical histories, including long term follow up records. Patient follow-up was collected for an average of 3.2 years. Evidence of fracture was obtained by reviewing records, searching medical codes.
The ability to accurately predict fracture risk is challenging. Therefore, the team evaluated the incidence of fractures in the study population. Both hip and spine were evaluated as independent predictors of later fracture by calculating age-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs).
The HR from lumbar spine was 1.61, while the total hip HR was 1.85. The rate for the femur neck was 1.76 and trochanter 1.77. The researchers determined that predicting risk of fracture was most accurate using total hip measurement. Hip measurement alone produced essentially equivalent results as minimum bone density measurement. To predict future fractures to the spine, data from the spine was the most useful.
The team concluded that the best data point from dosimetry studies to predict overall future risk of fracture is proximal femur bone density. Overall fracture assessment, alternatively, was evaluated with total hip measurement.
August 31, 2007 Related topics: Imaging, Diagnostic, Radiology