Feasibility of Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in Arctic field studies

Bone strength decreases with age. Bone mineral density (BMD) is a measure of bone strength. Data on BMD in present-day Inuit are limited, and data on circumpolar populations using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA scanning) are lacking.

Our aims were to validate DEXA scanning for use in field studies in the Arctic region and to obtain data on BMD in Greenland Inuit.

We measured BMD in 52 healthy Inuit living in Ilulissat and Saqqaq in North Greenland using a portable peripheral DEXA scanner. The measurement sites were forearms and calcaneal bones. Two measurements were performed at both radii and both calcanei. Triplicate measurements were performed in eleven Inuit.

The portable scanner fitted into a standard bag suitable for transportation in the arctic winter. Imprecision was well within 2% for all calibrations. CV% were 0.16% to 1.79% in the forearms and 0.38% to 1.53% in the heels. The overall CV% was 1.09% in forearm and 1.01% in heel. Mean BMD in men was 0.569 g/cm2 in forearms and 0.542 in heel. In women it was 0.479 in forearms and 0.468 in heel.

DEXA scanning is a feasible, reliable and comfortable method in rural Greenland. BMD values are now available for Greenland Inuit.