Correlation of bone mineral density among various measurement sites.

ABSTRACT

Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and hip was studied in 1,047 women visiting the menopause clinic, to assess the correlation of BMD among various measurement sites. Bone mass measurement was performed utilizing dual energy X-ray absorptiometer (DEXA), Hologic QDR 2000. The results revealed a significantly high correlation of BMD of total hip and spine. (r = 0.7021, P < 0.001) Nevertheless, BMD of the spine was mostly correlated with BMD of trochanteric site (r = 0.7235, P < 0.001) and least correlated with BMD of intertrochanteric region. (r = 0.2426, P < 0.001) In conclusion, BMD of spine and hip is highly correlated. However, there was some heterogeneity of correlation in different specific measurement sites.