Cross-Calibration of iDXA and pQCT Scanners at Rural and Urban Research Sites in The Gambia, West Africa

AbstractBetween-scanner differences in measures of bone and body composition can obscure or exaggerate physiological differences in multi-site studies or the magnitude of changes in longitudinal studies. We conducted a cross-calibration study at two bone imaging centres in The Gambia, West Africa where DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and pQCT (peripheral Quantitative-Computed Tomography) are routinely used. Repeat scans were obtained from 64 Gambian adults (58% Male) aged Mean(SD) 30.9 (13.5) years with Mean(SD) body mass index (BMI) 21.7 (4.0) kg/m2, using DXA (GE Lunar iDXA, whole body [WB], total hip [TH], lumbar spine [LS]) and pQCT (Stratec XCT2000L/XCT2000, tibia 4%, 50% sites). Between-scanner differences were tested using paired t tests (p <  0.05). Between-scanner correlation was explored with linear regression, and cross-calibration equations derived. Bland–Altman analysis investigated machine trend/bias. When differences were detected (p <  0.05), cross-calibration equations were applied to urban values, with t tests and Bland Altman analysis repeated. Between-scanner differences exceeded the predefined level of statistical significance (p <  0.05) for WB aBMD and BA; all pQCT measures vBMD, BMC, cortical cross-sectional area (CSA) and stress–strain index (SSI). Between-scanner correlation was high (R2:0.92 –0.99), except pQCT Mu.Den (R2 = 0.51). Bland Altman plots indicated bias increased with increasing BMD. Cross-calibration...
Source: Calcified Tissue International - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research