Karen Knapp
University of Exeter Medical School, UK
Title: Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry: Beyond Bone Mineral Density
Biography
Biography: Karen Knapp
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a common musculoskeletal disease in the western world characterised by reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and micro-architectural deterioration, resulting in an increased risk of fragility fracture. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and provides an important element of fracture risk assessment. However, DXA is not a perfect tool and many patients diagnosed with low or normal bone mineral density (BMD) will still suffer a fragility fracture. This presentation look at the use of DXA beyond the measurement of BMD and how additional techniques such as vertebral fracture assessment, trabecular bone score and the use of clinical risk factors can provide better identification of those requiring treatment for fragility fractures. Consideration of the use of total body scans will also be covered, along with the precision errors associated with DXA across a range of population sizes. The presentation should provide clinicians with an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of DXA underpinned by the current evidence-based.