Densitometry Guidance

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a technology that is widely used to diagnose osteoporosis, assess fraclure risk, and monitor changes in bone mineral density (BMD). The clinical utility of DXA is highly dependent on the quality of the scan acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. Clinicians are best equipped to manage patients when BtviD measurements are correct and interpretation follows well-established standards. Poor-quality acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of DX/\ data may mislead referring clinicians, re• suiting in unnecessary diagnostic evaluations, failure to evaluate when needed, inappropriate treatment, or failure to provide medical treatment, with potentially ineffective, harmful, or costly consequences. Misallocation of limited healthcare resources and poor treatment decisions can be minimized, and patient care optimi1.ed, through meticulous attention to DXA instrument calihration, data acqui,;ition and analysiR,interpretation, and reporting. This document from the International Society for Clinical Densitometry describes quality standards for BMD testing at DXA facilities worldwide to provide guidance for DXA supervisors, technologists, interpreters, and clinicians. High-quality DXA testing is necessary for correct diagnostic classification and optimal fracture risk assessment, and is essential for BMD monitoring. Received 03/7/16; Accepted 03/8/16. Disclosure: EML has served on scientific advisory boards for Amgen, Merck, 'Eli Lilly, Radius Health, AgNovos Healthcare, Alexion, Shire, and AbbVie-. NB has served on scientific advisory boards for Amgen, Merck, and Eli Lllly. CRS serves on scientific and commercial advisory boards for Amgen. WDL has received speaker fees from Amgen, Eli Lily, and Novartis. BMC has ·received speaker fees from GE, Hologic, Ache, E.MS. Hypermarcas and Medimaps. EML has received institutional grant/research support from Amgen. Merck, and F.li Tilly. NB has received institutional grant/research support from Amgen, Merck, F.li T .illy, and GR Healthcare.WDT. received research granls from Amgen (all paid to the institution). JJC was served oo scientific advisory boards for MSD, Abbvie,Amgen, Prcoter & Gamhle, Hospira,Servier, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squihh, and Roche, and received speaker fee.s from MSD, Roche, Ahhvie, Eli-Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb. Hospira, and Pfizer. Research Grants: Abbvie, MSD. P&G, and Centocor. ~ Address correspondence to: E. Michael r .ewiecki, MD, New Mexico Clinical Research & Osteoporo~s Center, 300 Oak St. NF., Alhuquerque, NM 87106. F.-mail: mlcwiccki@.>gmail.com