Early Results Of The Comparison Of Bone Mineral Density Values Assessed With Digital X-Ray Based Radiogrammetry And Double Energy X-Ray Absoprtiometry On Patients Suffering From Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate potential value of computer assisted X-ray based radiogrammetry (DXR) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients and Methods: 50 randomly selected patients having rheumatoid arthritis underwent bone mineralization measurements (femoral neck/lumbar spine using DXA and hand using DXR which estimates BMD from radiogrammetrical measurements of middle metacarpal bones. and provides metacarpal and porosity index (MCI; PI). Results: Pearsons correlation coefficients (BMD-DXR) ranged between r=.56 and .69 (DXA-BMD spine and DXA-BMC femur). MCI DXR reached lower values ranging from .53 to .62 (DXA-BMD spine and femur) all p<.01. PI showed no significant correlations to any DXR/DXA-parameters. DXR-BMD differed depending from the severity of the disease (Steinbroker). Conclusion: This new radiogrammetry-based system seems to be of promising clinical value with a moderate but significant correlation to DXA-parameters. In patients receiving X-ray of the hand for diagnostic purposes, the new technology is feasible, because for the patient no additional radiation exposure is necessary in order to estimate BMD.