Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
07:18
Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma FAST Exam: Image Acquisition
Published on: September 22, 2023
8.3K
Capacity for and Utilization of Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Within the Veterans Health Administration
Heather Davila1,2,3, Kimberly D McCoy1,2, Michelle A Mengeling1,2,3
1VHA Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Iowa City, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|December 5, 2025
Summary
This study examined dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) use in veterans over 50, analyzing how facility capacity impacts bone density testing. Findings reveal disparities in DXA utilization based on available resources.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Radiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Osteoporosis is a significant concern in aging populations, particularly among veterans.
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard for bone mineral density assessment.
- Understanding factors influencing DXA utilization is crucial for effective osteoporosis management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utilization patterns of DXA scans among veterans aged 50 years and older.
- To assess the relationship between facility-reported DXA capacity and scan utilization rates.
- To identify potential disparities in DXA access within the veteran population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of electronic health records for veterans aged ≥50 years.
- Categorization of healthcare facilities based on reported DXA capacity (e.g., high, medium, low).
- Statistical analysis to compare DXA utilization rates across facilities with varying DXA capacity.
Main Results:
- DXA utilization varied significantly among veterans aged ≥50 years.
- Facilities with higher DXA capacity demonstrated higher utilization rates.
- Veterans served by facilities with limited DXA capacity experienced lower rates of bone density testing.
Conclusions:
- Facility-level DXA capacity is a critical determinant of bone density testing utilization among older veterans.
- Addressing disparities in DXA capacity may improve osteoporosis screening and management in the veteran population.
- Optimizing DXA resource allocation is essential for equitable veteran healthcare.
Related Concept Videos
01:24X-ray Imaging
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen (1845–1923) was experimenting with electrical current when he discovered that a mysterious and invisible "ray" would pass through his flesh but leave an outline of his bones on a screen coated with a metal compound. In 1895, Röntgen made the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human: an "X-ray" image (as it came to be called) of his wife’s hand. Scientists worldwide quickly began their own experiments with X-rays, and by 1900, X-ray was widely...
01:29Positron Emission Tomography
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique involving radiopharmaceuticals — substances that emit short-lived radiation. Although the first PET scanner was introduced in 1961, it took 15 more years before radiopharmaceuticals were combined with the technique and revolutionized its potential.
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...
01:05Absorption of Radiation
The rate of heat transfer by emitted radiation is described by the Stefan-Boltzmann law of radiation:
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and the...
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Description
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...