The correlation between bone mineral density measured at the forearm and at the lumbar spine or femoral neck: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Current guidelines for osteoporosis diagnosis do not recommend forearm dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a standard tool, except in specific cases. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the potential correlation between forearm BMD and BMD at the lumbar and/or hip sites.

Methods

The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024568756), and the study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. Major databases were systematically searched from their inception until August 2024 to identify studies evaluating the ability of forearm DXA scans to detect osteoporosis, particularly in comparison to central sites like the femoral neck and lumbar spine. A meta-analysis was conducted on studies that reported correlation coefficients between these measurements.

SUBMITTER: Papa MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11827141 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature