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Abstract
This paper reports total body calcium by neutron activation (TBC) measurements in
94 normal individuals and 86 osteoporotic patients. The ability of TBC to discriminate
normal from osteoporotic females was evaluated with decision analysis. Bone mineral
content (BMC) by single-photon absorptiometry was also measured. TBC was higher in
males (range 826 to 1363 gm vs 537 to 1054 in females) and correlated with height
in all normals (r = 0.55 in males, 0.58 in females; p < 0.001). In females over age
55 there was a negative correlation with age (r = −0.51, p < 0.01). Thus, for normals
an algorithm was derived to allow comparison between measured TBC and that predicted
by sex, age, and height (TBCp). In the 28 normal females over age 55, the TBC was
764 ± 115 gm vs. 616 ± 90 in the osteoporotics (p < 0.001). In 63 of the osteoporotic
females an estimated height, from tibial length, was used to predict TBC. In normals
the ![Math Eq]()
ratio was 1.00 ± 0.12, whereas in osteoporotic females it was 0.80 ± 0.12 (p < 0.001).
A receiver operating characteristic curve showed better discrimination of osteoporosis
with ![Math Eq]()
than with wrist BMC. By using Bayes' theorem, with a 25% prevalence of osteoporosis
(estimate for postmenopausal women), the posttest probability of disease was 90% when
the ![Math Eq]()
ratio was less than 0.84. We conclude that a low ![Math Eq]()
ratio is very helpful in determining osteoporosis.
ratio was 1.00 ± 0.12, whereas in osteoporotic females it was 0.80 ± 0.12 (p < 0.001).
A receiver operating characteristic curve showed better discrimination of osteoporosis
with 
than with wrist BMC. By using Bayes' theorem, with a 25% prevalence of osteoporosis
(estimate for postmenopausal women), the posttest probability of disease was 90% when
the 
ratio was less than 0.84. We conclude that a low 
ratio is very helpful in determining osteoporosis.Abbreviations:
total body calcium ((TBC)), total body calcium predicted by height sex and age ((TBCp)), bone mineral content ((BMC)), receiver operating characteristic curve ((ROC curve))To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 14,
1983
Received:
March 4,
1983
Footnotes
☆Computer assistance provided by the CLINFO system under grant RR-37.
Identification
Copyright
© 1983 Published by Elsevier Inc.
