Author: Bonnick, Sydney Lou

Source: Women's Health, Volume 4, Number 1, January 2008 , pp. 89-97(9)

Publisher: Future Medicine

Abstract:

The relationship between declining bone density and increasing fracture risk is firmly established; the relationship between increasing bone density and decreasing fracture risk is less clear. Because of this, the clinical utility of assessing the therapeutic efficacy of prescription therapies to reduce fracture risk by measuring changes in bone density has been called into question. However, there is substantial clinical trial data to support this approach. Nevertheless, an apparent increase or decrease in the bone density may be misinterpreted without an understanding of the statistical concepts of precision and least significant change. These concepts are not difficult and are of profound clinical importance. If the least significant change is not known, serial measurements of bone density cannot be interpreted. These concepts will be discussed and illustrated, and the rationale for the importance of changes in bone mineral density on therapy will be explored.

Keywords: BMD; bone density; densitometry; DXA; osteoporosis; precision; repeatability

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/17455057.4.1.89

Affiliations: 1: Clinical Research Center of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA., Email: sbonnickcrcnt@verizon.net

Publication date: 2008-01-01

More about this publication?

• Women's Healthprovides a forum for specialists addressing those conditions that are unique to women or far more prevalent in women than in men. The journal focuses on current and emerging topics relating to the safe and effective management of therapy in women, taking into account issues such as key areas such as women's physiology and life-cycle hormonal changes, with all articles subject to rigorous peer review.
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