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Published on: January 29, 2018
Reference data for bone mineral density in Swedish women using digital x-ray radiometry
Bo Arvidsson1, Lennart Bodin, Eva Rask
1Department of Internal Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden. bo.arvidsson@orebroll.se
Summary
This study established Swedish reference data for bone mineral density (BMD) in women using digital X-ray radiometry (DXR). Swedish DXR-BMD aligns with manufacturer data, except for lower values in women aged 50-59.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Osteoporosis Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Digital X-ray radiometry (DXR) is increasingly used for measuring bone mineral density (BMD) in metacarpal bones.
- Establishing regional reference data is crucial for accurate BMD assessment and osteoporosis diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create Swedish reference material for bone mass in women aged 20-79 years, measured by DXR in the metacarpal bones.
- To compare the established Swedish reference data with manufacturer-provided data.
- To analyze the distribution and age-related changes in bone density within the Swedish female population.
Main Methods:
- A population-based sample of 1440 women aged 20-79 years from Örebro County was recruited.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using microdose mammography (Sectra MDM L30).
- Cole's Least Mean Squares (LMS) method was applied to analyze the DXR data and establish reference curves.
Main Results:
- A total of 669 women participated, representing a 48.3% participation rate.
- Peak bone mass was observed at approximately 43.4 years, with a mean BMD of 0.597 g/cm² (SD: 0.050).
- Swedish data showed good correlation with manufacturer data, with a notable exception of lower BMD values in women aged 50-59 years.
Conclusions:
- The LMS method effectively describes DXR data, providing detailed bone density distribution insights.
- DXR-BMD in Swedish women aged 20-79 years generally aligns with international findings.
- The study highlights a specific age-related difference in BMD for Swedish women aged 50-59, warranting further investigation.
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