Poster 170: A study on the correlation between peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and thoracolumbar X-ray in the diagnosis of compression deformity among patients with low bone mineral density.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the correlation between calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) and thoracolumbar compression deformities in patients with low BMD. Design: Cross-sectional correlation study. Setting: A veterans medical center in the Philippines. Participants: 147 subjects with a calcaneal BMD fulfilling the World Health Organization’s criteria for osteopenia and osteoporosis. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Calcaneal t score using Lunar PIXI dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; and vertebral compression deformity on thoracolumbar radiography. Results: The bivariate correlation coefficient ( r) was equal to −.748 using the Pearson test ( P=.000). The mean calcaneal t score of subjects with vertebral compression deformity was −3.0649±0.6468. A high prevalence of compression deformity was noted in the t score range of −2.4426 to −3.7162. The number of compression deformities increased as the calcaneal t score decreased. Conclusions: There is a significant correlation between the peripheral calcaneal t score and the presence of vertebral compression deformities among patients with low BMD.