ABSTRACT
The assessment of regional bone mineral density (BMD) has proved to be useful for illustrating the impact of focal bone demineralization diseases on bone mass. In these scenario, a common practice is to compare the affected limb with the contralateral limb. However, there are no studies comparing BMD differences between dominant vs nondominant limbs at these sites. In addition, most studies have assessed BMD in specific ROIs (regions of interests) instead of in the whole limb. The purpose of our study was to compare the BMD of dominant vs nondominant hands and feet in healthy individuals, using both the whole limb software and specific ROIs. We performed a cross-sectional analysis on untrained women and men over 18 years of age who volunteered to participate. BMD (g/cm2), bone area (cm2) and BMC (bone mineral content) (g) were measured by Lunar Prodigy DXA (GE Healthcare, Madison, WI, USA), using 2 different approaches: whole limb/region software and specific ROIs. A total of 42 subjects (11 men and 31 women) were included. Mean age was 44.19 ± 10.49 years. BMD was greater in the dominant in comparison with the nondominant hand. The difference was 0.014 (95% CI, 0.009-0.018) for the whole hand BMD, 0.023 (95% CI, 0.003-0.044) for ROI 1, and 0.016 (95% CI, 0.003-0.029) for ROI 2. No significant differences were found between dominant and nondominant foot BMD, using the whole limb software and specific ROIs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the differences in BMD, bone area and BMC in terms of limb dominance, supporting the usefulness of DXA as an accurate and objective complementary diagnostic or follow-up tool in focal bone demineralization diseases.
Subject(s)
Bone Density , Bone and Bones , Male , Female , Humans , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Absorptiometry, Photon , Cross-Sectional Studies , Upper ExtremityABSTRACT
Se denomina transgénero mujer (TM) a un varón biológico con identidad de género femenina. El tratamiento hormonal cruzado (THC) es una de las opciones para lograr caracteres sexuales del género autopercibido. Realizamos un estudio de diseño transversal, observacional y analítico para evaluar la densidad mineral ósea, composición corporal y fuerza muscular antes de iniciar la hormonización. Un total de 26 TM en condiciones de ingresar en el estudio fueron comparadas con hombres cisgénero de similar edad (mediana 23,5 vs. 25,5 años). Basalmente, las TM presentaron menor densidad ósea en columna lumbar (1,040 vs. 1,280 g/cm2; p=0,01), cadera total (0,970 vs. 1,070 g/cm2; p=0,01) y cuerpo entero (1,080 vs. 1,220 g/cm2; p<0,01). Observamos, además, menor masa muscular en brazos (5,033 vs. 6,212 kg; p<0,01) y piernas (16,343 vs. 18,404 kg; p=0,02), acompañada de menor fuerza muscular de puño (p<0,01). Concluimos que las TM presentaron características diferentes de la biología masculina aun sin haber iniciado el THC. Sugerimos incluir la evaluación de la densidad mineral ósea en la evaluación inicial de esta población, dados los hallazgos identificados. (AU)
A trans-woman (TW) is a biologically male person with female gender identity. Cisgender denotes a person whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with its birth sex. Cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) is one of the options to achieve secondary characteristics of the self-perceived gender. We performed a cross-sectional study. Bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, and muscle strength before starting CSHT were assessed. Twenty-six TW (median age 23.5 years) and cisgender males (median age 25.5 years) were matched for age. TW had less BMD at the lumbar spine (1.040 vs 1.280 g/cm2; p=0.01), total hip (0.970 vs 1.070 g/cm2; p=0.01), and total body (1.080 vs 1.220 g/cm2; p<0.01). They also had less skeletal muscle mass in the arms (5.033 vs 6.212 kg; p<0.01) and legs (16.343 vs 18.404 kg; p=0.02), associated with lower grip strength (p<0.01). It appears that bone and muscle characteristics of TW before starting CSHT differ from cisgender men. Taking these findings into account, we suggest the inclusion of BMD in the initial evaluation of TW. (AU)
