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Single X-ray absorptiometry: Performance characteristics and comparison with single photon absorptiometry

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new device for measurement of forearm bone mass using the technique of single X-ray absorptiometry (SXA, DTX-100; Osteometer A/S, Rødovre, Denmark), and to compare the performance with the more traditional single photon absorptiometry (SPA, DT 100; Osteometer A/S, Rødovre, Denmark). The SPA phantom measurements showed a coefficient of variation of 0.43% and 0.42% for bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD), respectively (39 months including seven source changes). The SXA precision errors were slightly lower with values of 0.30% and 0.30%, respectively. The patient measurements showed SPA coefficients of variation of 0.85% and 0.99% (BMC and BMD) and SXA coefficients of variation of 0.56% and 0.83%, respectively. The correlation between SPA and SXA values performed in 377 individuals yielded r values of 0.99 an 0.98 for BMC and BMD, respectively. The correlations between SXA measurements of the dominant and non-dominant forearm yielded anr-value of 0.95, with a slope of 0.949 (p<0.001) and an intercept of 0.204 (p<0.05). The non-dominant forearm thus had approximately 3% lower BMC than the dominant (the same was true for BMD). Correlations to spine and femur ranged fromr=0.48 tor=0.75. In conclusion, the new single X-ray absorptiometry forearm bone densitometer described in this paper has performance characteristics which allows it to be used both for diagnostic purposes and for the follow-up of treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Osteometer A/S, Rødovre, Denmark

    J. Borg

  2. Center for Clinical and Basic Research, Ballerup Byvej 222, DK-2750, Ballerup, Denmark

    A. Møllgaard & B. J. Riis MD

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  1. J. Borg
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  2. A. Møllgaard
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  3. B. J. Riis MD
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Borg, J., Møllgaard, A. & Riis, B.J. Single X-ray absorptiometry: Performance characteristics and comparison with single photon absorptiometry. Osteoporosis Int 5, 377–381 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01622260

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01622260

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