The evaluation of bone density findings in normal populations and osteoporosis

The authors conclude that the measurement of bone mineral in the radius does not always reflect the overall skeletal mass in an individual patient. Despite this limitation in individual patients, the photon absorption method appears to be sufficiently accurate to be useful in the evaluation of mineral content in large populations. In preliminary studies prolonged therapy with a high calcium and phosphate intake did not increase the mineral content in the radius nor could we see any consistent clinical therapeutic effects. The addition of vitamin D for a period of 9 months caused no additional change. Serum levels of parathormone were elevated in 5 of 9 patients and could have negated any positive effect of diet therapy on bone mass. These elevated levels decreased with the addition of vitamin D to the regimen. Modification will be necessary before the photon absorption technique can be accepted as a clinically useful tool for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in an individual patient.