EVALUATION OF QUANTITATIVE CT VERTEBRAL BONE-MINERAL DENSITY-MEASUREMENT AND THE SINGH INDEX IN ELDERLY FEMALES WITH HIP-FRACTURES - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

This study aims to evaluate the ability of quantitative computed tomog raphy (QCT) bone mineral density (BMD) measurement of vertebral bodies to predict risk of hip fracture. We also examine the predictive value of the radiographic Singh index and its relationship to the vertebral BMD. The vertebral BMD (using a QCT protocol) and radiographic Singh index were evaluated in 86 white females who had sustained a hip fract ure after minor trauma. 86 age-matched female controls were also studi ed. All patients were post-menopausal, the age range was 52-95 years. BMD values were found to be low in both the study group and controls; there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. A low Singh index did not correlate with hip fracture, nor did it corr elate with low vertebral BMD measurement. We conclude that vertebral B MD and radiographic Singh index are not reliable predictors of hip fra cture in the elderly female.