RESUMO
UNLABELLED: In quantitative computed tomography applications for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, the bone mineral density value obtained has to be compared with a reference data. This data is influenced by several factors including sex, age, and ethnicity. Therefore, reference data that accurately represent the population at large is essential. We established age-based quantitative computed tomography bone mineral density reference values for healthy women residing in Izmir, Turkey. We recruited 396 healthy women from 20 to 83 years old (mean age, 51.08 years). Quantitative computed tomography bone mineral density measurements were performed using the GE 9800 Highlight Advantage scanner at the L1, L2, and L3 lumbar vertebrae. The mean bone mineral density (mg/cm) +/- standard deviation of the normal reference group of women from 20 to 39 years old was 168.86 mmg/cm3 +/- 21.59. The threshold bone mineral density value for osteoporosis at a T score < -2.5 was 114.83 mg/cm3. The slope, intercept, and r values at bone mineral density versus age linear regression test were -2.44, 251.1, and 0.70, respectively. The percentage of annual bone mineral density loss was 1.6%. The bone mineral density values of Turkish women were not distinct from most countries' reference values. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level II (Development of diagnostic criteria on consecutive patients [with universally applied reference "gold" standard]). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of the levels of evidence.
