Clinical impact of misinterpretation of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry during the evaluation of osteoporotic patients

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent systemic skeletal disorder leading to decreased bone strength and increased susceptibility to fragility fracture. The global burden of osteoporosis negatively impacts health systems around the world, and the estimation of millions of individuals at high risk for fracture in 2010 will double by the year 2040. There are many techniques to evaluate bone mineral density, but the preferred method in clinical practice is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This method, despite offering multiple advantages, can lead us to a wrong diagnosis if we do not take into account certain clinical and technical considerations. The objective of this review is to analyze the different aspects that we must consider when, as clinicians, we have to evaluate a densitometric report. These aspects are presented as technical factors influencing DXA results and patients’ conditions limiting DXA interpretation.

双能X线骨密度仪对评估骨质疏松症患者的错误解读的临床影响 摘要

骨质疏松症是一种非常普遍的全身骨骼疾病, 导致骨骼强度下降和脆性骨折的风险增加。全球骨质疏松症的负担对世界各地卫生系统产生了负面影响, 据估计, 2010年有数百万人处于骨折高风险, 到2040年将增加一倍。有很多方法来评估骨密度, 但在临床实践中首选的方法是双能X线骨密度仪(DXA)。尽管这种方法有很多优点, 但如果我们不考虑某些临床和技术因素, 可能会导致错误的诊断。本综述的目的是分析我们作为临床医生评估密度测定报告时必须考虑的不同方面。这些方面被认为是影响DXA结果的技术因素和限制DXA结果的患者情况。

Keywords:

• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
• densitometry
• postmenopausal osteoporosis
• osteoporosis
• bone mineral density

Potential conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Source of funding

Nil.