Improved Prediction of Hip Fracture Risk

Abstract

The assessment of osteoporotic hip fracture risk is currently based primarily on bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, a growing body of evidence indicates that the method is insufficient for the accurate individual risk assessment. DXA-based BMD can provide information on the amount of bone but does not elucidate bone structure, which is important for the mechanical strength of bone and, consequently, for the risk of fracture. In order to achieve more comprehensive assessment of fracture risk, recent efforts have been placed on imaging modalities, by which the bone structural changes could be observed. In this paper, we review our recent studies, in which improved prediction of hip fracture risk has been achieved using advanced imaging of proximal Femur structure.