Quality and performance measures in bone densitometry: part 1: errors and diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
Bone densitometry is one of the main pillars in the assessment of osteoporosis. The most important modalities are dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), quantitative computed tomography (QCT), and quantitative ultrasound (QUS).


METHODS
For each modality a variety of technical solutions and numerous commercial devices are available and widely used for patient measurements. While the field of bone densitometry may be considered mature, new modalities and devices are being introduced. Consequently, there is a constant need to assess and compare the quality of bone densitometry approaches and devices in a rigorous way.


RESULTS
The International Commission on Radiation Units has commissioned a report on bone densitometry to address some of these issues, in particular to provide clear definitions of quantities and units used and to describe parameters and methods that can be used to compare and standardize densitometric equipment and measurements. One of the core chapters of the report summarizes quality and performance measures in bone densitometry. It is divided into four sections: physical performance measures, diagnosis, fracture risk, and monitoring. Here we publish part 1 of this chapter containing the first two sections: physical performance measures and issues in diagnosing osteoporosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Following the international standard (ISO 5725-1), trueness, bias, repeatability, and reproducibility are defined along with terms common to osteoporosis research, such as accuracy and precision. Building on the conceptual definition of osteoporosis, diagnostic criteria are defined and discussed including criteria for reference data. Based on this, clinical performance measures commonly used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis are reviewed and discussed.
Engelke
K
K
Institute of Medical Physics, University of Erlangen, Henkestr. 92, 91056 Erlangen, Germany. klaus.engelke@imp.uni-erlangen.de
Glüer
C-C
CC
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000592:standards; D015519:Bone Density; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards