Common Questions
What are the available types of peripheral bone density measurements and how do they compare?
Listed below are the peripheral bone density testing technologies, those that test sites such as the radius, heel, and finger. Portable testing units measure only peripheral sites but are growing in popularity because of their convenience and relatively low cost.
| Method | Body Site | Advantages | Disadvantages | Precision Error* | Accuracy Error** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pDXA (peripheral dual x-ray absorptiometry) |
|
|
|
1 to 2% | 3 to 9% |
| SXA (Single x-ray absorptiometry) | Heel |
|
|
1 to 3% | 3 to 8% |
| QUS (quantitative ultrasound) (1) |
|
|
|
NA | NA |
* The reproducibility of the value on repeat measures.
** The ability of the test to reflect true bone density value.
- Schott, AM, Weill-Engerer S, Hans D, Duboeuf F, Delmas PD, Meunier PJ. Ultrasound discriminates patiens with hip fracture equally well as dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and independently of bone mineral density. Bone Miner Res 1998; 8(S4): S7-S86.
- Osteoporosis: Cost-effectiveness analysis and review of the evidence for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Osteoporosis International 1998; 8(S4): S7-S86.
- World Health Organization: Assessment of fracture risk and its application to screening for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Report of a WHO Study Group. Geneva Switzerland: World Health Organization 1994; (Technical.
- Marshall D, Johnell O, Wedel H. Meta-analysis of how well measures of bone mineral density predict occurrence of osteoporotic fractures. BMJ 1996; 312: 1254-1259. Full Text.