Impact of precision on long-term patient monitoring during osteoporosis treatment: First results from the clinical practice in Bulgaria

Abstract

The Quality Control (QC) plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of any bone density measurement de-vice. A lot of work is done on standardization of results, yielded by different osteodensitometry equipment. This paper is a section of a more extensive study aimed at evaluation of the QC of the DXA-machines participating in the National Programme against Osteoporosis in Bulgaria. For the first time in vitro and in vivo precision (as RMS coefficient of variation) have been assessed as an important part of the QC process in bone densitometry and osteoporosis treatment monitor-ing. No deviation from the normal function was found. When comparing results produced from different osteodensitometry units differences in vivo were found. The study underlines the need for regular QC, for standardization of measurement results and staff training, and for the accreditation of a Reference Osteodensitometry Center with view to an optimal follow-up of the measurements series, a patient safety improvement and finally a better therapy outcome. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.