What is peripheral BMD not used for?

• A. Monitoring treatment efficacy
• B. Making a diagnosis
• C. Assessing fracture risk
• D. Evaluating bone density trends

Answer: (B)

Peripheral bone mineral density (BMD) testing primarily involves devices that measure bone density at sites like the wrist, heel, or finger, which can provide useful but limited information about overall bone health. The primary use of peripheral BMD includes assessing and monitoring changes in bone density over time, which is helpful for evaluating treatment efficacy and assessing fracture risk.

When it comes to making a diagnosis of osteoporosis or related conditions, central BMD measurements, typically obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the hip or lumbar spine, are considered the standard. This is because central BMD measurements have been validated through extensive research for diagnostic criteria. Peripheral devices may not provide sufficient accuracy for a definitive diagnosis due to factors like anatomical variations and differences in bone quality that are not as significant at central sites. Thus, while peripheral BMD can provide ancillary information, it is not typically employed as a primary diagnostic tool for osteoporosis.