Calcaneus BMD short-term precision in young and elderly subjects using the DXL Calscan

In this study, the short-term reproducibility and agreement between individual units of dual X-ray and laser (DXL) Calscan (version 2), a new bone densitometry device based on dual X-ray absorptiometry and Laser technique, were evaluated. The variations in bone mineral density (BMD) and T-score between the right and the left foot were also studied retrospectively in 334 individuals. The short-term CV%, based on 19 healthy individuals scanned twice on 4 different units, was 2.1%, and the average CV% per scanner ranged from 1.1% to 1.8%. The short-term CV% in 33 elderly individuals (aged 83 +/- 6 yr) was 3.9% and in a subgroup with a calcaneal T-score of -2.5 or below (n = 16) 5.1 %. There was no statistical difference between the average BMD of the right and left foot, and (r(2)) between the right and left side was 0.84. The observed short- and long-term reproducibilities, as well as the acceptable variation between individual machines, show that this version of Demetech DXL Calscan is suitable for measuring BMD.