Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Differences in precision in bone mineral density measured by SXA and DXA: the NOREPOS study

  • Locomotor Diseases
  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aims were to compare the precision (reliability) in single X-ray (SXA) and dual X-ray (DXA) absorptiometry, and to compare smallest detectable difference (SDD). An additional aim was to examine determinants for precision in bone mineral density (BMD). BMD was measured by SXA (DTX-100, Osteometer) in the forearm and by DXA (Lunar Expert) in the forearm and in the hip. Two measurements were performed at each site/method, and 195 of 207 participants had complete datasets. Participants were aged 47–49 and 71–74 years. The precision was estimated by Root Mean Square Standard Deviation (RMS SD) with 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) and the corresponding coefficients of variation (CV%). Determinants (age, gender, BMD) were analysed by multiple linear regression with log (SD) and log (CV) as dependent variables. RMS SD tended to be largest in older women and in those with low BMD. RMS SD for SXA and DXA forearm was 4.6 (4.2–5.1) and 6.8 (6.1–7.4) and the corresponding CVs 1.0% and 1.4%. RMS SD for DXA hip was 11.0 (9.9–12.0) with CV 1.2%. To detect a 3% change in BMD one would need two repeated measurements by DXA in the distal forearm at each of two consultations, but only one measurement by SXA in the distal forearm and also only one measurement by DXA in the hip. Precision differed by type of densitometer affecting the number of repeated measurements needed to detect a given BMD difference.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Weinstein M, Fineberg H, Elstein A. The value of clinical information. In: Weinstein M, Fineberg H, editors. Clinical decision analysis. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company; 1980. p. 131–167.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bonnick SL, Johnston CC Jr, Kleerekoper M, Lindsay R, Miller P, Sherwood L, et al. Importance of precision in bone density measurements. J Clin Densitom. 2001;4:105–10. doi:10.1385/JCD:4:2:105.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Faulkner KG, McClung MR. Quality control of DXA instruments in multicenter trials. Osteoporos Int. 1995;5:218–27. doi:10.1007/BF01774010.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Glüer CC, Faulkner KG, Estilo MJ, Engelke K, Rosin J, Genant HK. Quality assurance for bone densitometry research studies: concept and impact. Osteoporos Int. 1993;3:227–35. doi:10.1007/BF01623825.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Miller CG. Bone density measurements in clinical trials: the challenge of ensuring optimal data. Br J Clin Res. 1993;4:113–20.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Marshall D, Johnell O, Wedel H. Meta-analysis of how well measures of bone mineral density predict occurrence of osteoporotic fractures. BMJ. 1996;312:1254–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Siris ES, Miller PD, Barrett-Connor E, Faulkner KG, Wehren LE, Abbott TA, et al. Identification and fracture outcomes of undiagnosed low bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: results from the National Osteoporosis Risk Assessment. JAMA. 2001;286:2815–22. doi:10.1001/jama.286.22.2815.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Rosvold Berntsen GK, Fonnebo V, Tollan A, Sogaard AJ, Joakimsen RM, Magnus JH. The Tromso study: determinants of precision in bone densitometry. J Clin Epidemiol. 2000;53:1104–12. doi:10.1016/S0895-4356(00)00234-1.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Johnston CC Jr, Slemenda CW. Identification of patients with low bone mass by single photon absorptiometry and single-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Am J Med. 1995;98:37S–40S. Review. 10.1016/S0002-9343(05)80044-0

  10. Kleerekoper M, Nelson DA. Peripheral bone densitometry: an old friend revisited. Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 1998;109:62–70.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Borg J, Mollgaard A, Riis BJ. Single X-ray absorptiometry: performance characteristics and comparison with single photon absorptiometry. Osteoporos Int. 1995;5:377–81. doi:10.1007/BF01622260.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kelly TL, Crane G, Baran DT. Single X-ray absorptiometry of the forearm: precision, correlation, and reference data. Calcif Tissue Int. 1994;54:212–8. doi:10.1007/BF00301681.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lin S, Qin M, Riis B, Christiansen C, Ge Q. Forearm bone mass and biochemical markers of bone remodelling in normal Chinese women. J Bone Miner Metab. 1997;15:34–40. doi:10.1007/BF02439453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Ravn P, Overgaard K, Huang C, Ross PD, Green D, McClung M. Comparison of bone densitometry of the phalanges, distal forearm and axial skeleton in early postmenopausal women participating in the EPIC Study. Osteoporos Int. 1996;6:308–13. doi:10.1007/BF01623390.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Eckert P, Casez JP, Thiebaud D, Schnyder P, Burckhardt P. Bone densitometry of the forearm: comparison of single-photon and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bone. 1996;18:575–9. doi:10.1016/8756-3282(96)00082-8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Henzell S, Dhaliwal S, Pontifex R, Gill F, Price R, Retallack R, et al. Precision error of fan-beam dual X-ray absorptiometry scans at the spine, hip, and forearm. J Clin Densitom. 2000;3:359–64. doi:10.1385/JCD:3:4:359.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Leboff MS, Fuleihan GE, Angell JE, Chung S, Curtis K. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of the forearm: reproducibility and correlation with single-photon absorptiometry. J Bone Miner Res. 1992;7:841–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Mole PA, McMurdo ME, Paterson CR. Evaluation of peripheral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry: comparison with single photon absorptiometry of the forearm and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the spine or femur. Br J Radiol. 1998;71:427–32.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Overton TR, Wheeler GD. Bone mass measurements in the distal forearm using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and gamma-ray computed tomography: a longitudinal, in vivo comparative study. J Bone Miner Res. 1992;7:375–81.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Sievanen H, Oja P, Vuori I. Precision of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in determining bone mineral density and content of various skeletal sites. J Nucl Med. 1992;33:1137–42.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Sievanen H, Kannus P, Oja P, Vuori I. Precision of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in the upper extremities. Bone Miner. 1993;20:235–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Sievanen H, Backstrom MC, Kuusela AL, Ikonen RS, Maki M. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry of the forearm in preterm and term infants: evaluation of the methodology. Pediatr Res. 1999;45:100–5. doi:10.1203/00006450-199901000-00017.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Tanaka N, Sonoda S, Kondo K, Chino N. Reproducibility of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in the upper extremities in stroke patients. Disabil Rehabil. 1997;19:523–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Gjesdal CG, Aanderud SJ, Haga HJ, Brun JG, Tell GS. Femoral and whole-body bone mineral density in middle-aged and older Norwegian men and women: suitability of the reference values. Osteoporos Int. 2004;15:525–34. doi:10.1007/s00198-003-1573-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Meyer HE, Berntsen GK, Sogaard AJ, Langhammer A, Schei B, Fonnebo V, et al. Higher bone mineral density in rural compared with urban dwellers: the NOREPOS study. Am J Epidemiol. 2004;160:1039–46. doi:10.1093/aje/kwh337.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Expert-XI imaging densitometer––reference manual. Software v.1.7. Documentation version 2/98 E. Reference Manual Assembly P/N 17460, Lunar. 2 ed. 1998.

  27. Osteometer DTX-100. Operator’s manual. 1MAN0510-B00. Osteometer A/S, Glerupvej 2, DK-2610 Rødovre, Denmark, System Software version 1.52. 1994.

  28. Berntsen GK, Tollan A, Magnus JH, Sogaard AJ, Ringberg T, Fonnebo V. The Tromso study: artifacts in forearm bone densitometry-prevalence and effect. Osteoporos Int. 1999;10:425–32. doi:10.1007/s001980050249.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Baim S, Wilson CR, Lewiecki EM, Luckey MM, Downs-Jr RW, Lentle BC. Precision assessment and radiation safety for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: position paper of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry. J Clin Densitom. 2005;8:371–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Glüer CC, Blake G, Lu Y, Blunt BA, Jergas M, Genant HK. Accurate assessment of precision errors: how to measure the reproducibility of bone densitometry techniques. Osteoporos Int. 1995;5:262–70. doi:10.1007/BF01774016.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Ravaud P, Reny JL, Giraudeau B, Porcher R, Dougados M, Roux C. Individual smallest detectable difference in bone mineral density measurements. J Bone Miner Res. 1999;14:1449–56. doi:10.1359/jbmr.1999.14.8.1449.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Berntsen GK, Fonnebo V, Tollan A, Sogaard AJ, Magnus JH. Forearm bone mineral density by age in 7, 620 men and women: the Tromso study, a population-based study. Am J Epidemiol. 2001;153:465–73. doi:10.1093/aje/153.5.465.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Lodder MC, Lems WF, Ader HJ, Marthinsen AE, van Coeverden SC, Lips P, et al. Reproducibility of bone mineral density measurement in daily practice. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004;63:285–9. doi:10.1136/ard.2002.005678.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Alver K, Meyer HE, Falch JA, Sogaard AJ. Bone mineral density in ethnic Norwegians and Pakistani immigrants living in Oslo—The Oslo Health Study. Osteoporos Int.. 2005;16:623–30. doi:10.1007/s00198-004-1722-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Emaus N, Berntsen GK, Joakimsen R, Fonnebo V, Emaus N, Berntsen GKR, et al. Longitudinal changes in forearm bone mineral density in women and men aged 45–84 years: the Tromso Study, a population-based study. Am J Epidemiol. 2006;163:441–9. doi:10.1093/aje/kwj055.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Forsmo S, Aaen J, Schei B, Langhammer A. What is the influence of weight change on forearm bone mineral density in peri- and postmenopausal women? The health study of Nord-Trondelag, Norway. Am J Epidemiol. 2006;164(9):890–7. doi:10.1093/aje/kwj268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Szulc P, Delmas PD, Szulc P, Delmas PD. Bone loss in elderly men: increased endosteal bone loss and stable periosteal apposition. The prospective MINOS study. Osteoporos Int. 2007;18:495–503. doi:10.1007/s00198-006-0254-3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation, Norwegian Osteoporosis Foundation, Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association, and Research Council of Norway. Economic support was also received from Astra Zeneca Norway; Merck, Sharpe & Dohme Norway; Norwegian Rheumatism Association; and TINE BA (Norwegian Dairy Industry). The data were collected in collaboration with the National Health Screening Service of Norway, now the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403, Oslo, Norway

    Lisa Forsén & Haakon E. Meyer

  2. Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, 9037, Tromso, Norway

    Gro K. Rosvold Berntsen & Vinjar Fønnebø

  3. Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Grethe S. Tell

Authors
  1. Lisa Forsén
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gro K. Rosvold Berntsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Haakon E. Meyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Grethe S. Tell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Vinjar Fønnebø
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lisa Forsén.

Additional information

On behalf of the NOREPOS Core Research Group: Gro K. R. Berntsen (Tromsø), Haakon E. Meyer (Oslo), Berit Schei (Nord-Trøndelag), and Grethe S. Tell (Bergen).

Local collaborators: (in alphabetic order)

Bergen: C. G. Gjesdal, G. S. Tell, S. Aanderud.

Nord-Trøndelag: L. Forsén, S. Forsmo, A. Langhammer, B. Schei.

Oslo: J. A. Falch, H. E. Meyer, A. J. Søgaard.

Tromsø: G. K. R. Berntsen, N. Emaus, V. Fønnebø, R. Joachimsen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Forsén, L., Berntsen, G.K.R., Meyer, H.E. et al. Differences in precision in bone mineral density measured by SXA and DXA: the NOREPOS study. Eur J Epidemiol 23, 615–624 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-008-9271-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-008-9271-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation