RESEARCH - Evaluation of cortical bone may more accurately identify fracture risk

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Evaluation of Cortical Bone May More Accurately Identify Fracture Risk

Medscape Medical News

Emma Hitt, PhD

May 13, 2010 — Standard methods for measuring bone mineral density may

underestimate cortical bone porosity, according to new research.

M. D. Zebaze, MD, from the departments of Medicine and

Endocrinology at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and

colleagues reported their findings in the May 15 issue of The Lancet.

According to the researchers, trabecular bone is lost more rapidly

than cortical bone. " For this reason, trabecular bone loss and

fractures of the vertebral body...have dominated thinking and research

into the structural basis of bone fragility for almost 70 years, " they

write. They add that " non-vertebral fractures at predominantly

cortical sites account for 80% of all fractures and most

fracture-related morbidity and mortality in old age. "

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/721799

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