title: Population rates of bone densitometry use in Australia, 2001-2005, by sex and rural versus urban location.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore use of bone densitometry in Australia and to identify any sex and geographic differences, as a marker of osteoporosis diagnosis and care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of claims data from Medicare Australia in patients aged over 45 years during the period 2001-2005.
  
  
  METHODS
  Age-standardised rates of bone densitometry use, by sex and by metropolitan, rural or remote classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bone densitometry use increased by 26% over the 5 years. Rates were lower for rural and remote populations, with people in capital cities about three times as likely to undergo the investigation as those in remote areas. The sex ratio for the rate of bone densitometry use (women to men) decreased from more than 6 : 1 in 2001 to 4 : 1 in 2005.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the sex ratio for osteoporotic fracture is close to 2 : 1 (women to men), the sex ratio for testing is much higher, suggesting underuse of bone densitometry in men. Sex and rural inequities in use of the investigation need to be addressed as part of a national approach to reducing minimal trauma fracture.
authors.affiliation: Northern Rivers General Practice Network, Lismore, NSW. dewald@nrgpn.org.au
authors.forename: Dan P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Ewald
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Eisman
authors.forename: Ben D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Ewald
authors.forename: Tania M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Winzenberg
authors.forename: Markus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Seibel
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ebeling
authors.forename: Leon A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Flicker
authors.forename: Peter T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Nash
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015519:Bone Density; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003720:Densitometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends