Dexascan Intervals??

[LBM1953]

Once I manage to have a baseline Dexascan, is there a recommended interval between scans. Having spoken to one provider, they will not do a Dexascan within 10-12 weeks of having and x-ray. Regards. LBM

[jinasc]

My Rheumy - 6 months after starting pred (60mg) and then every two years until remission. Last one 5 years later and no deterioration.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Depends on your local services, and do you mean from DEXA scan to DEXA scan, or DEXA scan and other procedures?

[LBM1953]

Hi. I meant Dexa to Dexa...(sound like a song)!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to LBM1953]

Probably no sooner than every 2 years, maybe depends on initial results! 🎶🎶🎶!

Can’t to FACE to FACE…..😳

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It will depend on the fundholder - the NHS says minimum 2 years as they say the change in bone density isn't big enough to register a sensible result. They aren't absolute figures and can't be compared with a result obtained on a different machine.

[piglette]

My area they will only do Dexascans every three years.

[Lonsdalelass in reply to piglette]

Mine too, every three years. Had my second on just a couple of weeks ago.

[piglette in reply to Lonsdalelass]

I am supposed to have one in August but have not booked it yet, so it will probably be August next year or next decade even!

[LBM1953]

I've got the wrong end of the stick then. I sort of assumed that once a baseline had been established then there would be regular (3-6 month?) scans in order to see if the meds had any material effect. With a longer recommended period between scans, it sounds like if the baseline is OK then the chance of it deteriorating over a short period is not very high?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LBM1953]

They can't really cope with the demand for 2 yearly scans never mind more often and under normal conditions the deterioration isn't fast. It may be faster on some people when on pred but isn't often so fast that 6 monthly scans would be needed,

[LBM1953]

👍👍👍

[Choco-Holic]

I just asked my rheumatologist yesterday and was told 3 years if that helps. I’m in north of England

[Rugger]

I've had a baseline DEXA scan and one every 2 years since - 3 in all.

[Pr0jection]

I had a bone density scan before taking prednisolone in May 2020. In August 2020 I was diagnosed with PMR and put onto 15mg for 3 weeks, then 10mg for 4 weeks, then down to 7.5mg where I remain to date. I had another scan in April 2021 as I was interested to see if there had been any change while on prednisolone. There was only one significant change to my L1 vertebrae which went from osteopenia to osteoporosis.