Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis of osteoporosis by imaging and bone mineral density

With an aging society, osteoporosis is one of the most common diseases threatening the health of China's elderly population and is an issue that is raising increasing concern. Osteoporosis is characterized by bone loss and increased susceptibility to fragility fractures. Various imaging modalities such as X-ray, CT, MRI and nuclear medicine along with assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) play an important role in its diagnosis and management, and the treatment requires multidisciplinary teamwork. A lack of consensus in the approach to imaging and BMD measurement is hampering the quality of service and patient care in China. Therefore a panel of Chinese experts from the fields of radiology, orthopedics, endocrinology and nuclear medicine reviewed the international guidelines, consensus and literature with the most recent data from China and, taking account of current clinical practice in China, the panel reached this consensus to help guide the diagnosis of osteoporosis using imaging and BMD. This consensus report provides guidelines and standards for the imaging and BMD assessment of osteoporosis and criteria for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in China.