Best Practices
Best Practices for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Measurement and Reporting: International Society for Clinical Densitometry Guidance

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocd.2016.03.003Get rights and content

Abstract

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a technology that is widely used to diagnose osteoporosis, assess fracture 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 BMD measurements are correct and interpretation follows well-established standards. Poor-quality acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of DXA data may mislead referring clinicians, resulting 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 optimized, through meticulous attention to DXA instrument calibration, data acquisition and analysis, 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.

Key Words

Accreditation
certification
DXA
osteoporosis
quality

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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 Lilly. 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, Aché, EMS, Hypermarcas and Medimaps. EML has received institutional grant/research support from Amgen, Merck, and Eli Lilly. NB has received institutional grant/research support from Amgen, Merck, Eli Lilly, and GE Healthcare.WDL received research grants from Amgen (all paid to the institution). JJC was served on scientific advisory boards for MSD, Abbvie, Amgen, Prcoter & Gamble, Hospira,Servier, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Roche, and received speaker fees from MSD, Roche, Abbvie, Eli-Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb, Hospira, and Pfizer. Research Grants: Abbvie, MSD, P&G, and Centocor.

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