Radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry-based measurement of bone mineral density in patients with severe motor and intellectual disability: An opportunity for patients with severe scoliosis and hip dislocation

Abstract

Purpose

Radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry (REMS) is an ultrasound technology currently used for the densitometric evaluation of osteoporosis and has been validated against dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. However, the use of REMS for bone densitometry in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) remains to be reported. This study aimed to investigate whether REMS technology can be used for densitometric evaluation of osteoporosis in patients with SMID with hip dislocation and severe scoliosis.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with SMID, who resided in a long-term care facility and received comprehensive medical and rehabilitation care, underwent REMS scans of the femoral neck and/or lumbar spine. Data regarding anthropometric parameters (height and weight), bone mineral density (BMD), clinical diagnostic classification, physical ability, presence of scoliosis and hip dislocation, and frontal radiographs of both hip joints were obtained.

Results

We included 29 men and 34 women (mean age: 52.6 years). All patients underwent successful scanning at either the femoral neck (82.5 %) or lumbar spine (95.2 %). BMD measurements obtained using REMS revealed low values, with a mean BMD, T-score, and Z-score of 0.67 g/cm², −2.39 standard deviation (SD), and − 1.38 SD, respectively, at the femoral neck and 0.66 g/cm², −2.70 SD, and − 1.87 SD, respectively, at the lumbar spine. The average Cobb angle of the lumbar spine was 34.0°; furthermore, dislocation rates did not significantly differ between those with and without successful BMD measurements (p = 0.073). Lumbar BMD T-scores were significantly correlated with femoral neck BMD T-scores (p < 0.001, r = 0.530).

Conclusion

All patients with SMID were able to undergo measurements of either spinal or femoral neck BMD; furthermore, 77.7 % of the patients underwent measurements at both the lumbar spine and femur. Our data suggest that REMS is useful for measuring BMD in patients with SMID who are residing in institutions.