Normative reference database for bone mineral density in Indian men and women using digital X-ray radiogrammetry

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Osteoporosis poses a significant global health challenge, primarily due to fracture risks.
• Existing bone mineral density (BMD) assessment devices in India and Asia lack local normative data, limiting clinical utility.
• Digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) presents a potential alternative for BMD assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a normative reference database for BMD in Indian women and men.
• To assess the feasibility of using DXR for BMD measurement in the Indian population.
• To provide data for improved fracture risk assessment in India.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 262 women and 178 men aged 20-79 years.
• Non-dominant hand radiographs were acquired and analyzed using the DXR pronosco x-posure system V.2.
• Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to ensure data quality.

Main Results:

• Peak DXR-BMD was observed at age 35 in women (0.588 g/cm2) and age 42 in men (0.602 g/cm2).
• Statistically significant differences in BMD were found between men and women across all age groups.
• A decline in BMD was observed in both sexes after the age of 50 years.

Conclusions:

• DXR can be utilized to establish local normative BMD databases.
• This DXR-based database can enhance fracture risk assessment accessibility in regions lacking dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
• DXR provides a valuable tool for osteoporosis management in diverse healthcare settings.