Dual X-ray absorptiometry of hip, heel ultrasound, and densitometry of fingers can discriminate male patients with hip fracture from control subjects: a comparison of four different methods.
Few studies have examined different bone densitometry techniques to determine male hip fracture risk. We conducted a case-control study of 31 noninstitutionalized men, mean age 77 yr, with a first hip fracture and compared the results with 68 randomly selected age-matched control subjects. The methods used were dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the proximal femur, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the heel and fingers, and radiographic absorptiometry of the fingers. Case patients had significantly lower values (4-17%; p < 0.01) for all methods. The odds ratios for every SD reduction in bone values were 4.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3-9.9) for DXA of the femoral neck, 2.2 (95% CI: 1.2-3.9) for QUS of the heel, 2.0 (95% CI: 1.2-3.3) for QUS of the phalanges, and 3.1 (95% CI: 1.5-6.6) for radiographic absorptiometry of the phalanges. The results indicate a strong capability of DXA of the femoral neck to distinguish between men with a first hip fracture and control subjects. Furthermore, ultrasound of the heel and fingers as well as radiographic absorptiometry proved capable of discriminating men with hip fractures from control subjects.
Ekman
Anna
A
Department of Surgery, Orthopedic Unit, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Anna.Ekman@ortopedi.uu.se
Michaëlsson
Karl
K
Petrén-Mallmin
Marianne
M
Ljunghall
Sverker
S
Mallmin
Hans
H
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D005385:Fingers / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography