Which factor can influence DXA results?

• A. Body thickness
• B. Patient's age
• C. Ethnicity
• D. Gender

Answer: (A)

Body thickness is a significant factor that can influence DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) results. This is because DXA measures bone mineral density (BMD) based on the amount of X-ray energy that passes through the bone compared to soft tissue. When body thickness increases, more soft tissue is present, which can absorb some of the X-rays before they reach the bone. This can lead to an underestimation of the true bone density because the measurement may be affected by the presence of additional soft tissue, resulting in lower apparent BMD values.

While other factors like age, ethnicity, and gender can also affect bone density and the interpretation of DXA results in terms of normative data, body thickness directly impacts the measurement accuracy during the DXA scan. Thicker bodies can obscure the true density of bone, creating challenges in determining an accurate BMD reading. Understanding the influence of body thickness allows technologists and healthcare providers to better interpret DXA results and make appropriate clinical decisions.