ESAME DELLA COMPOSIZIONE COPOREA (DEXA) al J|medical

BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS (DEXA) at J|medical

What is bone densitometry? Also known as computerised bone mineralometry (CBM), it is an essential diagnostic tool for the prevention of osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones fragile and increases the risk of fractures, including spontaneous ones. This examination, which measures bone mineral density, is particularly important for women during menopause, due to the hormonal changes that increase vulnerability to osteoporosis. CBM provides crucial information for an accurate diagnosis, enabling targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions.

When is it indicated? It is an examination recommended for various categories of people regardless of age, but it is especially essential for those who have experienced fractures due to bone fragility, or who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, or who present significant risk factors for developing this condition. These risk factors include the use of osteopenia-inducing medications or the presence of diseases associated with osteoporosis.

In particular, post-menopausal women and men over the age of 60 should consider a densitometric investigation if they present additional risk factors, such as early menopause (before the age of 45), a family history of fractures not caused by trauma before the age of 75, or chronic use of medications such as systemic corticosteroids. Other risk factors include prolonged periods of immobilisation, smoking, and alcohol misuse.

What is the objective of CBM? CBM is useful for confirming osteoporosis and is therefore particularly important for menopausal women, who are considered the most at-risk group for bone demineralisation.

The objective of CBM is therefore to measure mineral density in the bones of a specific skeletal area, which typically corresponds to the lumbar spine and the femoral neck.

And what about total body densitometry? DEXA is considered the reference method for assessing body composition, owing to its high sensitivity and reproducibility in measuring both muscle and fat mass, both overall and in specific parts of the body.

What can it assess? This examination makes it possible to evaluate the distribution of body fat, such as abdominal fat (more common in men) and gluteo-femoral fat (more common in women), which is an important risk factor for many conditions. DEXA also offers the possibility of assessing differences in muscle mass between different parts of the body.

Total body densitometry (DEXA) is a procedure that provides a comprehensive assessment of body composition, analysing bone, muscle, and fat mass through an in-depth diagnostic examination. This test is currently considered the gold standard for the study of body composition.

How are densitometric examinations performed? These are non-invasive, painless, and brief examinations. They can be performed on specific areas such as the lumbar vertebrae, the forearm, or the femur. The preferred method, recommended by the WHO for diagnosing osteoporosis, is the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technique, owing to its excellent cost-to-benefit ratio and low radiation exposure. During the examination, the patient lies on a table and is exposed to a thin beam of X-rays emitted by the equipment located beneath the table. Depending on the areas to be examined, the patient may assume different positions — for example, lying supine with a support placed under the legs to examine the spine, or lying with a special support between the legs to investigate the femur. It is important to emphasise that the examination should not be performed during pregnancy, although it is considered safe for most people.

Why have these examinations performed at J|medical? It is advisable to undergo the examination at a centre equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and a highly qualified team. This is why you should trust J|medical.