Calculation of the Least Significant Change Value of Bone Densitometry Using a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry System

Abstract

Purpose: The precision error of a bone density meter reflects the equipment and reproducibility of results by an examiner. Precision error values can be expressed as coefficient of variation (CV), CV%, and root mean square-SD (RMS-SD). The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) currently recommends using RMS-SD as the precision error value. When a 95% confidence interval is applied, the least significant change (LSC) value is calculated by multiplying the precision error value by 2.77. Exceeding the LSC value reflects a significant difference in measured bone density. Therefore, the LSC value of a bone density equipment is an essential factor for accurately determining a patient's bone density. Accordingly, we aimed to calculate the LSC value of a bone density meter (Lunar iDXA, GE) and compare it with the value recommended by the ISCD. We also assessed whether the value measured by the iDXA equipment was below the LSC value recommended by ISCD. Material and Methods: The bone densities of the lumbar spine and thighs of 30 participants were measured twice, and the LSC values were calculated using the precision calculation tool provided by the ISCD (http://www.iscd.org). To check the reproducibility of the measurement, patients were asked to completely dismount from the equipment after the first measurement; the patient was then repositioned before proceeding with the second measurement. Results: The LSC values derived using the CV% values recommended by the ISCD were 5.3% for the lumbar spine and 5.0% for the thigh. The LSC values measured using our bone density equipment were 2.47% for the lumbar spine and 1.61% for the thigh. The LSC value using RMS-SD was 0.031 g/cm2 for the lumbar spine and 0.017 g/cm2 for the thigh. Conclusion: that the findings confirm that the CV% value measured using our bone density meter and the LSC value using RMS-SD were maintained very stably. This can be helpful for obtaining accurate measurements during bone density follow-up examinations.