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Are
peripheral as good as central/axial measurements?
The DexaCare®G4
is patient friendly and easily accessible, even by handicapped,
wheelchair, or stretcher-bound patients. It requires
no special shielding or special room requirements.
The DexaCare®G4
assesses forearm bone density with optimized precision
and accuracy. It was developed on the background of
over 20 years of research within the field of osteoporosis.
The scanner quickly, precisely and accurately detects
the 8mm distance between the radius and ulna and starts
the measurement from that point to 24mm proximally every
single time. This area correlates to the rest of the
body as far as bone density without being affected by
degenerative changes such as osteoarthritis. The accuracy
at this site is better than 97%--the best available
by any means. The DexaCare®G4
scans are 99% reproducible.
The excellent accuracy (>97%) and in vivo precision
(>99%) makes the DexaCare®G4
highly suitable for assessment of bone density and quantifiable
follow-up. These numbers are equal or better than those
of the central/ axial (table) systems. The DexaCare®G4
is the only system to offer the patented "new Region
of Interest" for follow-up assessment. This allows you
to go to a precise site at the ultra-distal end of the
radius and ulna and quantifiably measure the effectiveness
of your treatment regimen in as little as 6-9 months.
This results in better patient compliance and a way
to assess their progress, before a change can be seen
in the T-score (usually 18-24 months).
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What
studies are available to verify the validity and efficacy
of the DexaCare®G4 system versus table systems?
"Bone Densitometry: A New, Highly Responsive Region
of Interest in the Distal Forearm to Monitor the Effect
of Osteoporosis Treatment" by P. Ravn, M.D., et al.
"The Use of Forearm Bone Density Measurements in the
Diagnosis of Osteoporosis and Assessment of Fracture
Risk" by Sydney Lou Bonnick, M.D., FACP
"Peripheral or Axial Bone Density Measurements?" by
Glen M. Blake, PhD, et al
"Prevalence of Osteoporosis in Women Referred for Bone
Density Testing; Utility of Multiple Skeletal Sites"
by Dorothy A. Nelson, PhD et al
Other references are available upon request.
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Who
should be tested for osteoporosis? I thought it was
only postmenopausal women?
"Not so! Osteoporosis is often thought of as an older
person's disease but it can strike at any age. According
to the National Osteoporosis Foundation osteoporosis
is a major health threat for more than 44 million Americans.
8 million American women and 2 million men already have
the disease and millions more have low bone density.
Worldwide, the lifetime risk for a woman to have an
osteoporotic fracture is 30-40 percent. In men the risk
is about 13 percent. Osteoporosis is responsible for
1.5 million fractures annually, including 300,00 hip
fractures, 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 wrist
fractures, and 300,000 fractures at other sites at a
cost of $17 billion. A woman's risk of developing a
hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of developing
breast, uterine and ovarian cancer."
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What
are the risk factors for osteoporosis?
Being female, thin or small frame, advanced age, family
history, anorexia or bulimia, rheumatoid arthritis,
low calcium diet, inactive lifestyle, smoking, low testosterone
levels in men, diabetes, excessive alcohol use, abnormal
absence of menstrual periods, menopause, including surgically
induced menopause, excessive use of carbonated drinks,
use of corticosteroids or anticonvulsants, being Caucasian
or Asian.
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Does
insurance and Medicare cover bone densitometry? (USA)
Yes. The CPT code for the DexaCare®G4
is 77081. There are over 40 ICD-9 codes applicable to
this code depending upon the patient diagnosis. Most
insurance companies are reimbursing 70-90% of the usual
and customary billable rate. Of course, fee-for-service
is a viable option.
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What are the advantages of
having the DexaCare®G4 bone densitometer in my office
versus sending my patients to the hospital or imaging
center?
There are several advantages:
First of all you can offer a valuable new service to
your patients in an environment that is well known to
them - your office. This will make them feel more secure
as opposed to sending them to a hospital or imaging
center. You will be able to give the patient a clear
answer within minutes and decide whether treatment is
necessary or not. You can offer your patients savings
in time and money by performing the procedure in your
office. Patient compliance is enhanced when they see
the results immediately for themselves and can consult
with you about viable treatment options. Secondly, the
DexaCare®G4
will enable you to increase your practice revenue, increase
referrals, and minimize your risk of losing a patient
to someone else in your community who's doing the test.
Studies have shown a satisfied patient refers 3.1 new
patients to a practice and 30% of patients referred
to another doctor don't return to their original provider.
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Who
can perform the test in my office and how long does
it take?
The DexaCare®G4
is operator independent, i.e. it's very easy to understand,
operate and has been designed in a way that minimizes
operator errors. Practically anyone can be trained in
a matter of hours.
The measurement itself takes only 3 minutes. In the
USA state regulations for x-ray services vary from state
to state. Some states require the supervision of an
x-ray technologist or physician; some states have no
regulations. We can provide you with specific details
for your state.
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How
will the DexaCare®G4 system help my practice?
You will be able to offer your patients a valuable new
service (and generate new revenue). Many patients have
been with the same doctor for many years or haven't
had a reason to return to their doctor. With your own
DexaCare®G4
you can provide bone density testing in a convenient,
safe and familiar setting. There is a strong public
awareness now of osteoporosis and a desire to prevent
or treat it before a patient suffers a fracture or immobility.
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Why
should I be involved in osteoporosis testing? I thought
by the time someone had osteoporosis, it was too late
to do anything about it.
This is an old myth. While there is currently no cure
for osteoporosis, there are several effective treatments
and prevention methods available. The following prevention
methods are recommended by the National Osteoporosis
Foundation: a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin
D, weight-bearing exercise, a healthy lifestyle with
no smoking or excessive alcohol use, early bone density
testing, and medications when appropriate.
Five medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) in the USA for the prevention and/or treatment
of osteoporosis. Each of these medications slows or
stops bone loss, increases bone density and reduces
fracture risk. Estrogen or hormone replacement therapy
(ERT/HRT), alendronate, raloxifene and risedronate may
be prescribed to prevent osteoporosis. ERT/HRT, calcitonin,
raloxifene, alendronate and risedronate may be prescribed
to treat osteoporosis.
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How
do I purchase a densitometer?
Go to the "Contact
Us"
page, fill in the form and we will have your local dealer
contact you.
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