Journal of Clinical & Experimental Orthopaedics

Bone Loss or a Case of Mistaken Gender?

Osteoporosis can occur in men and women of any age or ethnicity. Osteoporotic fractures are associated with increased mortality, even in younger patients. Hip fractures and vertebral fractures are public health concerns due to long-term disability and high Cost. The lifetime risk of an osteoporotic fracture in men over the age of 50 years is about 1 in 4, with the chances of a new fracture higher than the lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer. The mortality associated with hip fractures is higher in men that in women. By 2025, the estimated number of hip fractures occurring worldwide in men will be close to that seen in women in 1990. Dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the "gold-standard" technology for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and monitoring the skeletal effects of treatment. However, DXA results can sometimes be misleading due to errors in patient positioning, incorrect analysis, invalid data, or poor interpretation. This case presentation illustrates an easily avoidable testing error that could lead to inappropriate treatment decisions, highlighting the importance of quality DXA testing and reporting.

Author(s):

Joao Lindolfo C Borges, Haddad LP and Lewiecki EM

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