Relevance of Z Score in Diagnosing Osteoporosis by Dexa Scan

Abstract BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis being a global health care problem involving huge costs. Our study aims at deducing relevance of DEXA generated Z scores. MATERIALS & METHODS: We studied 281 subjects in the age group of 7 to 97 years, subdivided into age groups from 0 to 30 years , from 31 to 60 years and above 61 years with 80 male and 201 female subjects during August 2007 to August 2009 . With the data collected using the McNemars and the Chi Square test we have tried to prove the relevance of Z score. RESULTS: We analysed the data collected using 1994 Who criteria and 2005 ISCD DEXA criteria with T scores among which 46 % were diagnosed as osteoporotic whereas with Z scores we found to have 24.9 % of the subjects being Osteoporotic by using our GE, Lunar DPX DEXA Scan. We further analysed the significance of Z score using the Ch iSquare and McNemars test to confirm the sensitivity of the results which resulted in Z score being an important tool in diagnosing Osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: Substitution of DEXA Z Scores resulted in significantly fewer subjects being reclassified as osteoporotic in the study group when compared to the T Scores. KEY WORDS: Osteoporosis, DEXA Scan, Z Score, T score.