Dexa results

[YogaJM]

I have just received my dexa results after a year on Prednisolone and Risedronate. Lumber spine is normal, but left hip and left neck of femur ( they only scanned the left) show Osteopenia. I understand what T scores and Z scores are, but I got three figures for each site, and I wondered if anyone knows what the three figures mean? For example: 0.678 - 1.5 0.1 for one site and

0.777 - 1.4 0.0 for the other . The -1.5 and the -1.4 results I presume are T scores in the osteopenia range but what about the two figures either side of the minus figures? Could they be Z scores?

I would be grateful if anyone knows. Many thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Could you post an image of the actual results?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRpro]

I think the 0.777 is BMD, Bone Mineral Density, and the third figure is the z-score but they don't seem to fit together and make sense. It is difficult out of context to work it out.

[YogaJM in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks PMRpro. On looking again, I think you are correct. The first figure is BMD(g/cm2). The second is T score and the third is Z score. I don’t know how to send an image, but it is essentially the three figures as I posted above, for two sites. Normal for BMD is 1.0 I think? If you imagine a comma between each figure it makes more sense.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to YogaJM]

What I meant was I can't see a way to link them - ,777 would be very low BMD and I would expect the t-score to be lower as well. But maybe I'm just confused!!!!

[YogaJM in reply to PMRpro]

The BMD of hip is 0.777. ( Not minus). Hopefully that makes more sense. Do you think that is very low? Really appreciate all the work you put into helping with this group.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to YogaJM]

It is the t and z scores that get a minus though they can sometimes be positive. The BMD is a density, a weight per area. I thought that was on the low side (though I might be wrong) and I'd have expected the -1.5 figure to be lower in line with that. -1.5 is a middle of the range osteopenia and I would have thought it would be closer to osteoporosis. But I'm no expert.

What does the doctor say?

[YogaJM in reply to PMRpro]

Nothing so far! I found this on my NHS app. I will discuss it with my Rheumatologist when he has had a chance to see it. The complication is that I need a wisdom tooth extracted, and need advice about that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to YogaJM]

There is a post about that today - have a look.

[Gaz227]

what is your pred dose , start dose and present ?

[YogaJM in reply to Gaz227]

Started on 15mg last December. Now down to 6.5mg this month. Risedronate for almost a year.

[Gaz227 in reply to YogaJM]

Looks like your reducing well , good luck with the tapers , I’m 8 years in below 4 mg just isn’t happening , that’s with MTX as well . 👍🤞

[YogaJM in reply to Gaz227]

Yes, so far so good, but my diagnosis evolved from PMR to a rarer inflammatory autoimmune disease. Best wishes.

[Gaz227]

have you got a name for the inflammatory disease , I was told I also have SAPHO syndrome and now it’s RA

[YogaJM in reply to Gaz227]

Eosinophilic Fasciitis

[Gaz227]

gosh that’s a mouth full , I’ll Google it 👍

[Gaz227]

I think the good news with this condition is it goes away on its own , and some people don’t even need treatment , so it’s all positive for the future 👍🤞🙏