J Menopausal Med.  2023 Dec;29(3):112-118. 10.6118/jmm.23021.

Comparison of the Right and Left Femur Bone Mineral Densities in Postmenopausal Women

• Kim S
• Na Y
• Ko M
• Park JY
• Yoon H
• Song JY
• Chung YJ
• Shin I
• Kim C
• Park JH
• Kim MR

• KMID: 2550642
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.23021

Abstract

Objectives
Bone mineral density (BMD) is measured in the hip and posteroanterior spine; moreover, according to the 2019 International Society for Clinical Densitometry guidelines, unilateral hip can be used. This study aimed to determine whether there is a difference between the BMD of both the femurs in postmenopausal women.
Methods
A total of 343 postmenopausal women were enrolled in this study from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019 at a single tertiary hospital. By using the Hologic^® Horizon W DXA System, the femur and spine BMD was measured; BMD was recorded in g/cm 2 . Following regions were analyzed in both the femurs: the femur neck, the trochanter area, and total femur.
Results
Mean age at imaging was 62 ± 9.7 years, and significant difference in the total BMD of both the femurs (P = 0.003) was observed. In secondary analysis, patients with osteoporosis showed significant contralateral BMD discrepancies in trochanter and total proximal femur BMD (P = 0.041 and P = 0.011, respectively). However, in women with normal BMD, no significant difference between the right and left femur BMD was observed. Furthermore, measurement of solely the unilateral hip can lead to a 16.9% of underdiagnosis in postmenopausal women.
Conclusions
In conclusion, it is necessary to check BMD in both hips, particularly in patients suspected of osteoporosis.

Keyword

Bone mineral density; DXA scan; Menopause; Osteoporosis