Purpose
Children with chronic illness are vulnerable to compromised bone health. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is commonly used for assessment but has limitations related to body size adjustments and positioning, highlighting the need for accessible alternatives. This study evaluated the correlation between the Bone Health Index (BHI), derived from automated hand radiograph analysis, and areal bone mineral density (BMD) measured by DXA in Chinese children with chronic illness.
Methods
In this retrospective study, Chinese children undergoing simultaneous DXA and hand radiography were included. Correlations between BHI metrics and DXA-derived BMD Z-scores were assessed.
Results
A total of 327 patients were analyzed. Absolute BHI values showed negligible correlation with DXA-derived BMD at the lumbar spine (LS) (r = 0.10, p = 0.05) and total body less head (TBLH) (r = 0.00, p = 0.35). BHI standard deviation scores (SDS) exhibited moderate positive correlations with DXA BMD Z-scores (LS: r = 0.42, p <0.001; TBLH: r = 0.43, p <0.001). In steroid-treated patients, these correlations were weaker (LS: r = 0.30, p =0.007; TBLH: r = 0.30, p 0.001). Conversely, steroid-naïve patients exhibited stronger correlations (LS: r = 0.48, p<0.001; TBLH: r = 0.53, p<0.001).
Conclusion
In steroid-treated patients, BHI SDS correlated weakly with DXA-derived BMD Z-scores, whereas steroid-naïve patients exhibited moderate correlations. This highlights that BHI and DXA BMD assess distinct bone properties that are differentially influenced by systemic treatment like glucocorticoids. Consequently, BHI should be regarded as a complementary tool rather than serving as a direct surrogate for DXA.
J. Tung, Pakanut Pitupan, S. W. Poon et al.· Annals of Pediatric Endocrin...· 0 citations
Objectives
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a recognized risk factor for skeletal fragility in adults, but its impact on bone microstructure in children remains incompletely characterized. In particular, data on trabecular bone quality remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate skeletal parameters in this group of children and examine their associations with clinical variables.
Methods
This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated children with T1D at the Hong Kong Children's Hospital from June 2023 to December 2024. Skeletal parameters, including trabecular bone score (TBS), bone health index (BHI), bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and serum vitamin D and HbA1c levels, were evaluated alongside fracture history. A parent-reported questionnaire measured participation in physical activity. Correlations between bone parameters and clinical variables were analyzed.
Results
Sixty-eight children with T1D (male 42.6%, mean 12.7 ± 3.7 years, 44.1% prepubertal, mean HbA1c 7.3%) were included. A substantial proportion of children (19.6%) had low cortical bone density as reflected by BHI Z-score ≤ -2, whereas deficits in trabecular bone (TBS Z-score ≤ -2) were less common (4.8 %). Regression analysis confirmed that higher lean mass was associated with higher total body less head (TBLH), lumbar spine (LS) and TBS Z-scores (β=0.0001, p < 0.05), while disease duration had a negative association with these measurements (β=-0.1413; β =-0.1335, β=-0.2270, p < 0.05).
Conclusion
In this cohort of children with T1D, a pattern of skeletal involvement was observed, characterized by a high prevalence of low BHI Z-scores and a relatively low prevalence of low TBS Z-scores. This may suggest differential involvement of cortical bone with relative preservation of trabecular microarchitecture. Whether these structural differences translate into fracture risk remains unknown. Longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the evolution of bone alterations over time and to identify determinants underlying skeletal vulnerability in childhood-onset diabetes. Higher lean mass was associated with higher bone mass and microarchitectural indices, whereas longer disease duration may have a negative association with these parameters. These findings highlight modifiable and disease-related factors that may influence bone health, warranting confirmation in larger controlled studies.
S. W. Poon, Jian-Fang Zhu, Gloria S. W. Pang et al.· Journal of Clinical Research...· 0 citations
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