Suitability of the T-score for establishing bone mineral density categories

• Published in: Osteoporosis international Vol. 11; no. 5; pp. 408 - 410
• Main Authors: ROIG-VILASECA, D, NOLLA, J. M, ROIG-ESCOFET, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer 01.01.2000; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aging - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Density; Bone Diseases, Metabolic - diagnosis; Bone Diseases, Metabolic - physiopathology; Female; Femur Neck - physiopathology; Fractures; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis - diagnosis; Osteoporosis - physiopathology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Reference Values; Statistics as Topic; Spain; Human; Methodology; Evaluation scale; Reference; Calibration; Test reliability; Ethnic group; Osteoarticular system; Bone mass; Criterion; Database; Densitometry; WHO
• ISSN: 0937-941X; 1433-2965
• DOI: 10.1007/s001980070107

The use of different reference ranges may give rise to different T-score values for the same bone mineral density (BMD) value. This study was designed to quantify the differences in the classification of a particular population on the basis of normal ranges obtained from other reference databases. The T-scores obtained in a sample of 148 women by applying the Spanish normal range were compared with the normal range obtained in NHANES III for femoral neck. Significant differences were found when T-scores were compared, but there were no differences in categorizations using the WHO criteria. The application of these reference ranges to a female population aged older than 45 years with known BMD showed significant differences in classification. In conclusion, the T-score can vary according to the normal range used as reference, but it has little influence on the categorization of individual patients. However, it may be important when applied to a general population.