Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry reference data for Greek population. The impact on diagnosis of using various normal ranges for comparison.
BACKGROUND
The interpretation of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements and the individual classification of a patient is based on a normal reference range. Unfortunately, not all the manufacturers include in their analysis-software reference values specific for each population.


METHODS
In our study, using Lunar's DPX-L densitometer, we measured BMD of the lumbar spine and the femur of 4400 healthy women aged (25-80) years and we calculated the corresponding T- and Z-scores. Multiple regression analysis was applied to examine the dependence of BMD on age and weight. Greek data was compared with American and Italian.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference between Greek and American mean values of all age groups. The Italian normal range is closer to our data and can be reliably used at least as T-scores are concerned. Still, there is a small discrepancy in Z-scores, which might influence patient management.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that Greek reference range should be used for the assessment of osteoporosis of Greek population for better evaluation of bone status and appropriate treatment.
Molyvda-Athanasopoulou
E
E
Medical Physics Department, Medical School, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece. moly@med.auth.gr
Sioundas
A
A
Hatziioannou
K
K
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D014481:United States