Abstract
Over the past decade, scans to measure bone mineral density have assumed an essential role in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Although dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning of the central skeleton remains the most widely used investigation, a variety of different types of equipment for measuring peripheral sites are now available. However, the poor correlation between different types of measurement and a of consensus on how results from peripheral sites should be interpreted have proved a barrier to the more widespread use of these devices. These issues prompt the following questions: (1) which type of measurement best identifies the patients most at risk of fracture? (2) Can the WHO definition of osteoporosis be extended to include peripheral measurements? (3) Does it matter if different patients are selected for treatment using different techniques? (4) Do patients identified using peripheral measurements benefit from treatment to the same degree as those identified using central DXA? (5) Can peripheral measurements be used to monitor response to treatment? These questions are discussed in turn. (C) 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 502 - 511 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Current Opinion in Endocrinology & Diabetes |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 6 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2002 |