No matter what disease you have, it is important to know exactly what your current condition is. This is because it can determine the direction of treatment in the future. The same goes for osteoporosis. However, not many people who have undergone related tests know their own BMD levels. What is the reason?
Bone density testing is the most commonly used test for diagnosing osteoporosisㅣSource: Getty Image Bank
Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
A bone density test is a test that uses radiation to measure the bone density of a specific part of the body and then quantifies the result. The test result is expressed as a number, which is called a bone density score (T-score). When 0 is set as a normal value, the higher the negative number, the lower the bone density and the more severe the osteoporosis.
A T score of -1 to -2.5 is defined as osteopenia, and -2.5 or less as osteoporosis. A T score of -1 represents a 10% decrease in BMD compared to healthy young adults, and -2.5 represents a 25% decrease.
Bone mineral density can also be expressed as a Z score, which is a value showing the difference from the average bone density of adults of the same age. Typically, children, adolescents, premenopausal women, and men younger than 50 years of age are diagnosed using the Z score.
“Revision of the form for notification of results of health check-up and bone density test”
Starting this year, the measurement site and bone density score (T-score) will be written in the bone density test result of the health checkup result notification. Previously, only normal and abnormal conditions were indicated in the bone density test result part. However, from this year, it will provide bone density scores and measurement sites so that patients and medical staff can directly identify the severity of osteoporosis and take action.
The measurement site was changed to select one of ▲hip joint ▲lumbar spine ▲other. Wrist fractures are common in people in their 50s, but the incidence of hip and lumbar spine fractures increases with age. The reason for describing the measurement site is that the rate of degeneration differs depending on the site. As a result of the bone density test, even if it corresponds to osteopenia, the spine side is close to osteoporosis, and the femur side is often osteopenia.
The addition of bone density scores is also expected to be of great help in the treatment of osteoporosis. If the BMD score is shown, redundant testing can be prevented, and it can be used as a reference for drug prescription and secondary treatment through follow-up treatment. This increases the effectiveness of the bone density test results.
“Remarkably low treatment rate following diagnosis of osteoporosis”
Even if osteoporosis is diagnosed, proper drug treatment can prevent further worsening of symptoms or the occurrence of fractures that endanger life. However, according to the ‘Osteoporosis Fact Sheet’ published by the Korean Society of Bone Metabolism in 2019, 4 out of 10 osteoporosis patients do not use medical services. Even 7 out of 10 female patients and 8 out of 10 male patients did not receive drug treatment.
Osteoporosis medications include oral medications and injections. Oral medications should be taken on an empty stomach for at least 30 minutes following taking once a week or once a month. Injectables need to visit the hospital every time or inject themselves every day. Experts say that no matter how much hassle you have, you should continue to treat osteoporosis. This is because osteoporosis can break bones even with a small impact, and once a fracture occurs, the fatality rate rises rapidly.
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