Measurements and evaluation of proximal femoral bone mineral density with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

Proximal femoral bone mineral density (BMD) can be measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method in the parts of neck, trochanter, intertrochanter, total and Ward's. Ward's is a measuring part smaller than others, and the position varies on the status of inner rotation of target leg. Therefore, Ward's BMD is higher than neck and trochanter BMD in coefficient of variation (CV). On the other hand, it is reported that Ward's BMD decreases with aging more remarkably than those of lumber vertebra and total neck do. In this study, the measurements of proximal femoral BMD were carried out on 5 parts of neck, trochanter, intertrochanter, total and Ward's, in the condition of subject leg turned inside 15 degrees. Ward's BMD were measured with Ward's cognitive method. The measured BMD were compared among age groups of 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80-89. The correlation between BMD and age was tested using Pearson. On 5 parts, the BMD of age 50 - 59 were significantly higher than those of age 80 - 89. The correlations between BMD and age were negative on 5 parts and the most negative one was on Ward's. The study using Ward's cognitive method showed remarkable nagative relation between Ward's BMD and age.