VARIATION IN BONE-MINERAL DENSITY BETWEEN DIFFERENT ANATOMICAL SITES IN A NORMAL LOCAL-POPULATION

Bone mineral density (BMD) measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiom etry (DXA) can be expressed in terms of standard deviations, above or below mean young adult T-scores and above or below age-matched Z-score s. The differences between the left neck of the femur (LN), right neck of the femur (RN) and lumbar spine (L2-L4) were statistically signifi cant, irrespective of whether expressed as T-scores or Z-scores. There fore skeletal status assessment should involve as many sites as practi cally possible. Considering the low radiation dose and short scanning time, it is suggested that at least the two femurs and lumbar spine BM D be used in routine osteoporosis risk assessment. (C) 1998 Elsevier S cience Ltd. All rights reserved.