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Bone Density Test: the Meaning & Who Needs It | University Health News When you have a bone density test, your result comes back as a T-score. A T-score of minus 2. 5 means osteoporosis. By • December 7, 2020 A bone mineral density test is the best way to measure your bone health. It can tell you if you have osteoporosis and predict your risk for a bone fracture. If you are being treated for osteoporosis, a bone density test can tell your doctor how your bones are responding to treatment. [1-3] Osteoporosis causes your bones to become thin, weak, and brittle. Osteoporosis is a common cause of fractures that can lead to disability. A fractured hip or wrist may be the first sign of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is five times more common in women than men. The reason is the female hormone estrogen. Estrogen helps prevent bone loss in women. But when estrogen starts to drop around the time of menopause, there is a rapid loss of bone that lasts about three years. [2] The most common bone density test is called a DEXA scan.
Baechle, T. R. and R. W. Earle, Essentials of strength training and conditioning, 2008: Human Kinetics Publishers. 2. Ehrman, J. K., Clinical exercise physiology, 2009: Human Kinetics Publishers. 3. Layne, J. and M. Nelson, The effects of progressive resistance training on bone density: a review. Medicine & science in sports & exercise, 1999. 31(1): p. 25. 4. Marieb, E. N. and K. Hoehn, Human anatomy & physiology, 2007: Pearson Education. 5. Osteoporosis Australia, 6 July 2011; Available from:. 6. Pollock, M. L., et al., American Heart Association. Circulation, 2000. 101(7): p. 828.
[ edit | edit source] The sample of participants used in this study included 27 females and 13 males, who were chosen at random from nursing homes from Cairo, Egypt. The participants were all between the ages of 60 and 67 years of age [1]. These participants were split into two groups. The division of the participant sample was done by a blinded and independent research assistant, randomly assigning them into two groups with no predisposition as to the significance of each participant [1]. Group 1, the weight bearing group, consisted of 14 females and 6 males, and Group 2, the non-weight-bearing group, consisting of 13 females and 7 males, providing an even split between the groups to allow for an accurate comparison of results [1]. Throughout the study, all participants took part in the same amount of sessions, training 45-60 minutes, twice a week, for a six-month period. Incorporated into the sessions were a 10-minute warm up walk, and a brisk 5-minute walk as their cool down. Alongside these sessions, all participants were undergoing the same medical treatment [1].
The World Health Organization has established the following classification system for bone density: • If your T-score is –1 or greater: your bone density is considered normal. • If your T-score is between –1 and –2. 5: you have low bone density, known as osteopenia, but not osteoporosis. • If your T-score is –2. 5 or less: you have osteoporosis, even if you haven't yet broken a bone. To learn more, check out Osteoporosis: A guide to prevention and treatment, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Image: izusek/Getty Images Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Practical advice [ edit | edit source] If possible, it is advised to take measures into trying to prevent the onset of osteoporosis happening earlier, if at all. Undergoing everyday activities such as the following, will all assist in maintaining bone strength, but also improve everyday living: Adequate consumption of calcium Getting out in the sun to be exposed to vitamin D to assist in calcium absorption Participating in regular physical exercise to improve muscle strength [2]. If more advice or information Osteoporosis Australia provides information on the following topics; About Osteoporosis What it is Risk factors Diagnosis Prevention Calcium Vitamin D Exercise Living with Osteoporosis Treatment Recovery Real stories References [ edit | edit source] ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Shanb A, Youssef E. The impact of adding weight-bearing exercise versus nonweight bearing programs to the medical treatment of elderly patients with osteoporosis. Journal of Family and Community Medicine [Internet].
Not having all of the information for Group 1 makes it hard to replicate this study or make a comparison between the two groups. When comparing the two programs against each other, Group 1 was more lower body dominant, whereas Group 2 was an even mixture. This discrepancy between the two groups may influence Group 1 showing better results in regards to the effects on the lower body. What were the basic results? [ edit | edit source] When looking into the results of the program, two things were assessed; the first being the bone mineral density (BMD) and the second being the quality of life of the participants. After the completion of the programs, the BMD was remeasured and showed significant difference between the mean t-score of the lumbar spine, neck of femur and the right distal radial head in both Group 1 and Group 2. The results of these areas were compared to measurements undertaken before the participants took part in the exercise programs and showed no significant difference in the mean T-score in any of the three examined areas [1].
Diagnosis If you have risk factors for osteoporosis it is important that you ask your doctor for a bone health assessment. As part of your bone health 'check-up' your doctor should take a complete medical history that includes information on any recent fractures. As well your doctor will likely estimate your future risk by using a fracture risk assessment tool such as FRAX ®. Depending on the results of your fracture risk assessment, a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test may be recommended. In some countries (e. g. U. S. A. ), BMD testing is recommended for all women and men at age 65, regardless of whether they have risk factors. What is a Bone Mineral Density Test (BMD) test? BMD testing is a safe, fast and painless method to measure whether you have osteoporosis or how likely you are to develop it in the future. Traditional X-rays used to identify broken bones (for example spine fractures) cannot measure BMD. BMD has to be measured by more specialised techniques. Different types of BMD tests are available, but the most commonly used and recommended method is called DXA, which stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.