J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact, 2018; 18(4): 438-445, PMID: 30511948

Reliability of upper-limb diaphyseal mineral and soft-tissue measurements using peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT).

Year: 2018

Jenkins MA, Hart NH, Rantalainen T, Chivers P, Newton RU, Nimphius S
Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To quantify between-day reliability of upper-body diaphyseal measurements (radius, ulna, humerus) using peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT). METHODS: Fourteen males (age: 25.8+/-2.3 years,) underwent repeat pQCT scans (one to two days apart) at mid-shaft ulna (60%), mid-shaft radius (60%) and mid-shaft humerus (50%) cross-sections of the non-dominant limb. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficients of variation (CV) were determined for musculoskeletal morphology variables. RESULTS: Reliability was excellent (ICC: 0.76-0.99; CV: 1.3-7.3) at all sites for bone mass, stress-strain index, endocortical and pericortical radius, endocortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), muscle area, total area, non-cortical area, and cortical area. Reliability was good to excellent (ICC: 0.58-0.80; CV: 0.6-3.7) for polar vBMD and mid-cortical vBMD; fair to excellent (ICC: 0.30-0.88; CV: 0.5-8.0) for muscle density and cortical density; and fair to good (ICC: 0.25-0.60; CV: 3.4-7.6) for pericortical vBMD. Average reliability across the three sites was excellent (ICC >/=0.77; CV </=8.0). CONCLUSIONS: Overall between-day reliability of pQCT was excellent for the mid-shaft ulna, radius and humerus. pQCT provides a reliable and feasible body composition and skeletal morphology assessment tool for upper limb longitudinal investigations in scientific and clinic settings.

GID: 4813; Last update: 05.12.2018