Symmetry of Bone Mineral Density in the Hips Is Not Affected by Age
Resource
Nuclear Medicine Communications v.17 n.8 pp.711-6
Journal
Nuclear Medicine Communications
Journal Volume
v.17
Journal Issue
n.8
Pages
711-6
Date Issued
1996
Date
1996
Author(s)
YANG, RONG-SEN
CHIENG, POON-UNG
TSAI, KEH-SUNG
LIU, TANG-KUE
Abstract
To assess the symmetry of bone mineral density (BMD) of the hips, we used dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) to assess BMD in 266 normal Chinese women in the bilateral femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle regions. Linear regression analysis of the results showed excellent correlation between the hips. The correlation coefficients for the femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle regions were 0.899, 0.892 and 0.935 respectively, and the standard errors of the estimate (S.E.E.) were 0.029, 0.027 g/cm2 respectively. Pooling the BMD data of corresponding regions( n=532), the correlation coefficient was 0.813 for femoral neck versus trochanter, 0.889 for femoral neck versus Ward's triangle, and 0.833 for trochanter versus Ward's triangle. Further analysis showed mean correlation coefficients of 0. 854 for elderly subjects (age ≧65 years, n =51) and 0.887 for younger subjects (age＜65years, n=215). In conclusion, assessment of left or right hip BMD may be used to represent the BMD of the contrallateral hip and can reduce both the cost and radiation exposure during mass screening for osteoporosis.