Title:Bone Mineral Density Assessment by DXA vs. QCT in Postmenopausal Females with Central Obesity
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Lejla Milisic, Sandra Vegar-Zubovic, Amina Valjevac* and Suada Hasanovic-Vučković
Affiliation:Clinic of Radiology, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, Sarajevo 71000, Clinic of Radiology, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, Sarajevo 71000, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Čekaluša 90, Sarajevo 71000, Clinic of Radiology, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Keywords:Dual X-ray absorptiometry, quantitative computed tomography, bone mineral density, obesity, central obesity,
postmenopausal females.
Abstract:Objectives: Although Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is gold standard for osteoporosis
diagnosis, several reports have shown discordant T-score values measured by Quantitative
Computed Tomography (QCT) and DXA especially in obese subjects, but it is still not clear
whether BMD measurement by two modalities is affected by overall obesity or central obesity in
postmenopausal females. Therefore, the aims of this study were to compare BMD and T-scores by
DXA and QCT and to evaluate whether these two osteoporosis assessment modalities yield different
T-score values in postmenopausal females with obesity and central obesity.
Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 44 postmenopausal females, referred for osteoporosis
screening. Anthropometric indices (BMI-body mass index, WC-waist circumference and ICOindex
of central obesity) were measured and females underwent an assessment of bone mineral
density by DXA and QCT.
Results: Lumbar Spine (LS) T-score values were observed to be significantly lower by DXA compared
to qCT in females with BMI >25 kg/m2, (-1.9±1.5 vs. -2.3±1.2; p=0.039), in females with
WC>88 cm(-1.9±1.5 vs. -2.4±1.2; p=0.008) and in females with ICO>0.5(-1.96±1.4 vs. -2.5±1.2;
p=0.004). However, in normal-weight females and in those without central obesity, LS T-scores by
DXA were not different than qCT. DXA at lumbar spine and proximal femur revealed osteoporosis
in 47.7% and 11.4% respectively, while QCT detected osteoporosis in 61.4% of females (p<0.001).
Measures of central obesity; ICO and WC were not associated with QCT bone mineral density
(BMD) (r=0.14 and r=0.21, respectively), but were positively associated with both DXALS BMD
(r=0.29 and r=0.31; p<0.05) and DXA proximal femur BMD (r=0.41 and r=0.44; p<0.01).
Conclusion: Our results suggest that obesity is associated with lower T-scores by DXA compared
to QCT. Caution is needed when assessing osteoporosis status in obese postmenopausal females.
However, further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm the findings.
