In this study a cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the frequency of osteoporosis according to the site used. Six hundred and ten densitometric exams were analyzed regarding the frequency of osteoporosis/osteopenia according to the bone site. Besides the high correlation of bone density among the different sites analyzed, the frequency of osteoporosis has significantly changed with respect to the bone site examined. Osteoporosis was present in 14% and 18% of the patients when neck or total femur were used for diagnosis, whereas these numbers were 42% and 30% for Ward's triangle and lumbar spine sites, respectively. About 25% of the patients who were considered at risk for bone fracture using the lumbar spine evaluation were considered at no risk when the femoral neck was used as reference; on the other hand, 16% considered at increased risk using the femur were considered at no risk at lumbar spine. In conclusion, the frequency of osteoporosis changes according to the site used. For fracture risk assessment, the use of at least two different bone sites would be the best approach.
Densitometry; Osteoporosis; Osteopenia; Diagnosis
