Türk Osteoporoz Dergisi (Apr 2018)
Is There an Effect of Patient’s Age, Weight, Height and Body Mass Index on Positioning Errors During Scan Acquisition of Dual X-ray Absorptiometry?
Abstract
Objective: Patient positioning during dual energy X-ray absorptiometry examination is important in assessing bone mineral density. While the role of the technician is considered important on correct positioning, the effect of the patient characteristics on positioning is not adequately explained. The aim of this study is investigate whether postmenopausal women’s characteristics such as age, weight, height, and body mass index affect the positioning errors. Materials and Methods: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry reports and files of postmenopausal women were reviewed retrospectively. According to the values of body mass index three groups were formed; normal, overweight and obese. Forty one patients were included in each group. Only the images of the Hologic dual energy X-ray absorptiometry device were participated to assessment. Patients with positioning error were identified using the lumbar and hip region images in the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry output reports. The difference in positioning error rates between the body mass index groups was determined by Pearson’s chi-square test. The effect of age, height, weight, and body mass index of patients on positioning errors was examined by simple linear regression analysis. Results: Distribution of positioning errors between normal, overweight and obese groups were determined as 35.3% (36), 29.4% (30), and 35.3% (36), respectively. The distribution of correctly positioned patients in the same groups were; 23.8% (5), 52.4% (11), and 23.8% (5), respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of positioning errors (Pearson’s chi-square, p=0.127). Conclusion: Patient characteristics such as age, height, weight, and body mass index do not affect positioning errors statistically significant level.
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