The average rate of loss of bone de

The average rate of loss of bone density among healthy
postmenopausal women is approximately 1–2% per year,
although in the initial 5–10 years following menopause
this may be between 2–4% per year (Levis and Altman,
1998). Those at the highest risk of developing osteoporosis
should be targeted for BMD scanning to confirm whether
treatment is required. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
(DXA) is used to measure BMD because of its precision
reliability, short scanning time and its ability to measure
BMD at different sites (SIGN, 2003). Appropriate sites
for DXA scanning include lumbar spine, proximal femur
and distal forearm. As BMD differs between the sites of the
body, with only a moderate correlation between the BMD at
different sites, it is advisable that BMD should be measured by
DXA scan at two sites, preferably spine and hip