Evaluation of the Total Body-Less-Head DXA Scan Application
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of the total-body-less-head dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan application for bone and body composition assessment
IRAS ID
293387
Contact name
Karen Hind
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Durham University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) provides a rapid and detailed assessment of bone and body composition, with low ionising radiation and excellent precision (Hind et al., 2011; 2013; 2018; Barlow et al., 2015). DXA total body scans are useful for the evaluation of health status and injury risk in athletes, and of adiposity and lean mass for health in non-athlete populations. Current approaches to the assessment of body composition using DXA include measurement of the head region. It is estimated that approximately 10% of total body lean mass measured by DXA is located within the head (Krueger, 2017). However, this is of limited value in practice because this region of the body is unlikely to be affected by factors such as exercise (or lack of), hormonal status (eg amenorrhea), or diet. In addition, inclusion of the head in total body bone density assessments might provide discordant outcomes given the high density of bone within this region. In our previous research we have found that bone density at the total body (when scans include the head) is not predictive of bone density at the lumbar spine or hip. This means that people who may be at risk of skeletal deficits are not always identified from a total body scan. GE Lunar have recently introduced a total body-less head (TBLH) application. This study will evaluate the precision of the new TBLH application, compare outcomes with those from the standard total body scan and investigate associations of TBLH bone density with spine and hip bone density.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NE/0074
Date of REC Opinion
28 May 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion