Annualized percentage change in bone mineral density, measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), in older men measured in the mid-lateral lumbar spine, femoral neck, or anterior-posterior lumbar spine projections. Bone density measured in the anterior-posterior (AP) projection, appears to increase. This is probably due to degenerative changes in the posterior spinous elements. Thus, anterior-posterior DXA is a poor technique for assessing bone density in older men.
Reproduced with modifications from: Zmuda JM, Cauley JA, Glynn NW, Finkelstein JS. Posterior-anterior and lateral dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for the assessment of vertebral osteoporosis and bone loss among older men. J Bone Miner Res 2000; 15:1417.
