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Published on: January 29, 2018
The prevalence of significant left-right hip bone mineral density differences among black and white women
J D Alele1, D L Kamen, K L Hermayer
1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Medical Genetics, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, CSB 816, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. alele@musc.edu
Summary:
In a cross-sectional retrospective study, we examined the prevalence of significant opposite hip bone mineral density difference among white and black women. Left-right hip bone mineral density difference was a common finding in both races, raising the possibility that osteoporosis can be missed if only one hip is imaged.
Introduction:
We examined the prevalence of significant left-right hip bone mineral density (BMD) difference among black and white female subjects and its implications on the diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Methods:
This was a retrospective review of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) data in black and white subjects age 50 years and older. One thousand four hundred seventy-seven scans obtained using a GE Lunar Prodigy scanner in dual hip mode were analyzed (24% black, 76% white). Significant left-right hip BMD difference was considered present when the subregion least significant change (LSC) was exceeded. Its prevalence was determined, along with consequences on the diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Results:
Significant differences in BMD were common in both races; the LSC was exceeded in 47% of the patients at the total hip, 37% at the femoral neck, and 53% at the trochanter. Diagnostic agreement was lower when the LSC was exceeded than when it was not. The LSC was exceeded in a statistically significant number of black and white patients with normal or osteopenic spines and unilateral hip osteoporosis.
Conclusions:
Significant left-right hip BMD difference is a common finding among black and white women and can result in osteoporosis being missed if only one hip is imaged.
