A normative reference database study for Pronosco X-posure System (TM)

Cortical width from radiographs has been used for more than 40 yr as a mean s of estimating bone strength. In the last 5-10 yr, increased availability of computers and the development of automated algorithms for image assessme nt have led to an increased interest in radiogrammetry. In this study, we e xamined a new radiogrammetry device, the Pronosco X-posure System(TM), whic h estimates bone mineral density (BMD) from fore-arm/hand radiographs. We o btained hand and forearm radiographs and pet-formed dual X-ray absorptiomet ry (DXA) at the wrist and hip on 832 women ages 20-79 at four clinical cent ers across the United States. We then used the X-posure System to estimate BMD (DXR-BMD). The goal of the study was to establish reference ranges for the method and to compare the measurement to DXA measurements of BMD at the wrist and hip. Using statistical models, we estimated that the peak value for DXR-BMD occurred at age 38 (mean = 0.598 g/cm(2) standard deviation = 0 .034 g/cm(2)). The correlation between DXR-BMD and DXA was 0.90 at the wris t and 0.61 at the hip. The relationship of DXR-BMD to reported history of f racture was of similar magnitude to that for DXA at the wrist and hip. The strong correlation of DXR-BMD from the X-posure System with DXA at the wris t from the Hologic machine suggests that the X-posure System may be an alte rnative to DXA at the wrist for the assessment of osteoporosis.