Correlations between seven panoramic radiomorphometric indices and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to test for correlations of 7 panoramic radiomorphometric indices with lumbar spine and hip bone mineral densities (BMDs) and to test the accuracy of these indices for predicting osteoporosis and a T-score < or =-2.0.


METHODS
Mandibular cortical indices, simple visual estimations of cortical widths, mental and antegonial indices, antegonial depth, gonial and antegonial angles, and BMD were measured in 351 postmenopausal women.


RESULTS
Associations were demonstrated between BMDs, qualitative indices, and cortical measurements. In the case of severely eroded mandibular cortices, the odds ratio (OR) for osteoporosis (according to the World Health Organization criteria) was 4.82 and the OR for a T-score < or =-2.0, the threshold to begin treatment, was 10.87. In the case of very thin mandibular cortices, the ORs were 8.02 and 5.46 for osteoporosis and a T-score < or =-2.0, respectively. The mental index cutoff for osteoporosis was 3.15 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
Antegonial indices and gonial angles cannot be used as osteoporosis predictors. The most accurate indices were the mental index, mandibular cortical index, and visual estimation of cortical width.
Leite
André Ferreira
AF
Oral Radiology, Department of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil. andreleite@unb.br
Figueiredo
Paulo Tadeu de Souza
PT
Guia
Cláudio Mares
CM
Melo
Nilce Santos
NS
de Paula
Ana Patrícia
AP
D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity