BDM

Bone Densitometry or DEXA scan

Osteoporosis is a silent disease that can’t be detected until it reaches an advanced symptomatic stage or causes accidental fractures. Hence, regularly monitoring patients for their bone density is the only way a clinician can diagnose osteopenia (low bone mass) or osteoporosis at an early stage. After this, he can exercise remedial measures. A bone mineral density test is an easy, reliable test that measures the density or thickness of bones, using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) of the hip and spine, as preferred areas of measurement.

BMD test results are estimated on the basis of:

T-SCORE

• The patient’s bone mineral density as compared to the peak bone mass in a normal young adult
• A score of 0 means BMD = normal of a healthy young adult
• The diagnosis of osteoporosis or low bone mass is based on the T-score

Z-SCORE

• The patient’s bone mineral density as compared to the peak bone mass in an age-sex matched adult
• Z-SCORE is useful for determining whether an underlying disease or condition is causing bone loss

Instructions to Patients for BMD

• Patients should avoid calcium supplements and multivitamins 24-48 hours prior to the test
• Clothes with metal buttons or buckles should be avoided
• Any jewellery or metal which may interfere with the test will have to be removed