Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3271853 | Journal of Clinical Densitometry | 2006 | 4 Pages |
Abstract
It has been proposed that bone area on two scans should be very close (within 2%) in order to ensure a valid comparison, but this recommendation has not been critically evaluated. We assessed the importance of bone area in test precision within a regional testing program that maintains a large quality assurance database (208 analyzable scan-pairs). Differences in bone area exceeding the “2% rule” were common (22-46% depending upon site). Scan-pairs that exceeded the 2% rule were associated with significantly greater bone density measurement error for the lumbar spine (p < 0.005) and femoral neck (p = 0.001), but not the total hip. A simpler “1-cm2 rule” for the lumbar spine also predicted significantly worse spine precision (p < 0.005). In conclusion, differences in bone area are sources of short-term bone density measurement error.
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Authors
William D. Leslie, for the Manitoba Bone Density Program for the Manitoba Bone Density Program,