Abstract
The results of bone mineral density analysis using DXA were compared between automatic and manual methods. The purpose of this paper is to verify the range of errors of each analysis method in the same patient and select a proper method to minimize errors. Comparisons between automatic and manual analysis methods were made using BMD, BMC and AREA. Basal and follow up examinations were performed with the patients of normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis. In the basal examinations, the precision errors between automatic and manual method showed 1.9% in normal, 3.1% in osteopenia and 3.8% in osteoporosis. In case of follow up studies, the precision errors between automatic and manual method showed 2.3% in normal, 3.2% in osteopenia and 3.5% in osteoporosis. BMC and AREA also showed a tendency to increase precision errors on osteopenia and osteoporosis. Therefore, a manual method would be a better option to minimize errors in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis.