Evaluating the QUS/REMS scanners for the assessment of bone strength
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the Echolight REMS and Bindex QUS scanners for the assessment of bone strength in comparison with DXA: A cross-sectional study.
IRAS ID
277369
Contact name
Karen M Knapp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 22 days
Research summary
The assessment of bone strength provides an important indicator of bone health and the risk of fracture. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is routinely used as the gold standard for the clinical assessment of bone strength. However, DXA has some limitations, such as the use of ionizing radiation, unsuitable for patients who cannot leave their beds, and high operating costs, which encourages the exploration of alternatives.
Recently, a new ultrasound scanner (Echolight) has been released using ultrasound technology coupled with analysis software that aims to assess bone health. This scanner works with a new technology known as radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry (REMS) to assess bone health at the same anatomical sites as investigated by DXA (Lumbar spine and femur). The main advantages of Echolight compared to DXA are the use of non-ionizing radiation, it utilizes compact and transportable equipment, and lower associated costs.
The Bindex has also been recently released onto the market as a bone assessment tool based on a pulse-echo ultrasound used to scan and diagnose osteoporosis via measuring the cortical thickness of the proximal tibia/distal radius and calculates a density index alongside other clinical risk factors. Bindex classifies the risks of osteoporosis according to thresholds recommended by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) and the National Osteoporosis Society.
Because these scanners are relatively new, we aim to test the correlation of their measurements with DXA measurements. To examine this, 400 participants will be scanned using (DXA, Echolight, and Bindex). The participants are divided into four groups; 100 participants in each group (50 males and 50 females) as follow:
(1) With type II diabetes and having fragility fractures
(2) With type II diabetes, with no fragility fractures
(3) Without diabetes and having fragility fractures
(4) Without diabetes and without fragility fracture
Subgroups will have MRI and/or wrist and knee DXA scans.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
21/ES/0105
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion