Screening Bone Mass Measurements
Authors: RICHARD WASNICH
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Letters and Corrections1 December 1986Screening Bone Mass MeasurementsRICHARD WASNICH, M.D., PHILIP Ross, Ph.D.RICHARD WASNICH, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, PHILIP Ross, Ph.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-105-6-974_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: The technical limitations of bone mass measurements, and their potential misuse, are discussed by Dr. Ott in her editorial (1). However, two important scientific issues have not been fully addressed.The first issue involves Dr. Ott's proposed use of Bayes' theorem for the analysis of fractures and bone mineral content. Because bone mineral content, like blood pressure, is a continuous variable, the use of Bayesian analysis is not appropriate (2). Although Bayes' theorem is very useful for determining the diagnostic utility of a test, the potential utility of bone mineral content measurements isnotfor the diagnosis...References1. OTT S. Should women get screening bone mass measurements [Editorial]? Ann Intern Med. 1986;104:874-6. LinkGoogle Scholar2. PARFITT A. Closing remarks. In: CHRISTIANSEN C, ARNAUD CD, NORDIN BEC, PARFITT AM, PECK WA, RIGGS BL, eds. Osteoporosis: Proceedings of the Copenhagen International Symposium on Osteoporosis, June 3-8, 1984. Copenhagen, Denmark: Glostrup Hospital; 1984:233-9. Google Scholar3. KHAIRI M, CRONIN J, ROBB J, SMITH D, YU P, and JOHNSTON C. Femoral Trabecular-pattern index and bone mineral content measurement by photon absorption in senile osteoporosis. J Bone Joint Surg. 1976;58A:221-6. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. SMITH D, KHAIRI M, and JOHNSTON C. The loss of bone mineral with aging and its relationship to risk of fracture. J Clin Invest. 1975;56:311-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. WASNICH R, ROSS P, HEILBRUN L, and VOGEL J. Prediction of postmenopausal fracture risk with use of bone mineral measurements. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1985;153:745-51. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. MELTON L, WAHNER H, RICHELSON L, O'FALLON W, and RIGGS B. Osteoporosis and the risk of hip fractures. Am J Epidemiol. 1986;124:254-61. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. WASNICH R, ROSS P, HEILBRUN L, and VOGEL J. Selection of the optimal skeletal site for fracture risk prediction. Clin Orthop Rel Res. (In press). Google Scholar1. SOX H. Probability theory in the use of diagnostic tests. Ann Intern Med. 1986;104:60-6. LinkGoogle Scholar2. COHN S, ALOIA J, VASWANI A, YUEN K, YASUMURA S, and ELLIS K. Women at risk for developing osteoporosis: determination by total body neutron activation analysis and photon absorptiometry. Calcif Tissue Int. 1986;38:9-15. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. MELTON L, WAHNER H, RICHELSON L, OTALLON W, and RIGGS B. Osteoporosis and the risk of hip fracture. Am J Epidemiol. 1986;124:254-61. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: RICHARD WASNICH, M.D.; PHILIP Ross, Ph.D.Affiliations: Kuakini Medical Center John A. Burns School of Medicine Honolulu, HI 96817 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 December 1986Volume 105, Issue 6Page: 974-975KeywordsBayesian methodBlood pressureBoneBone density ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 December 1986 PDF downloadLoading ...