Demographic determinants of radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry (REMS)-derived BMD and fragility score
Authors' conclusion
REMS-BMD and fragility scores are strongly influenced by demographic inputs, particularly age and weight. The REMS output therefore reflects an assessment of BMD and fracture risk strongly based on demographic parameters, rather than an ultrasound-based direct skeletal measurement.
Study context
- Population
- Clinical cohort undergoing REMS scans of the lumbar spine and femoral neck; plus five healthy volunteers with artificially varied age and weight inputs178 females · 31 males
- Outcome
- Variance in REMS-BMD and fragility score explained by demographic inputs (age, weight, height)
Methodological detailsclinical cohort with multiple linear regression, controlled experimental manipulation of demographic inputs
- Clinical cohort with multiple linear regression
- Controlled experimental manipulation of demographic inputs
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Variance explained by demographic inputs (clinical cohort), males and females
REMS-BMD, R2
> 0.90
Femoral neck (FN) fragility score, R2
> 0.95
Lumbar spine (LS) fragility score, R2
> 0.80
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Experimental cohort: FN REMS-BMD change with artificially varied inputs
Approximately
- FN REMS-BMD decline per decade of increased input age
- 6.3%
- FN REMS-BMD increase per 5-kg increase in weight input
- 4.3%
- Five healthy volunteers; assuming stable underlying bone
Original publication
Demographic determinants of REMS-derived BMD and fragility score. Osteoporos Int. Published 23 March 2026. doi:10. 1007/ s00198-026-07960-4
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