Purpose: To examine degenerative features based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements at the lumbar spine in relation to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to investigate whether bone mineral density (BMD) is reflected in the substitution of bone trabecular structure by fat at the vertebral body level indicated by MRI T1 relaxation time, endplate concavity, and hypertrophic (osteophytes and endplate sclerosis) MRI findings.
Material and Methods: The sample for this cross-sectional study was composed of 102 subjects, 35–70 years old, from a population-based cohort. Data collection included DXA in the anterior–posterior projection at the L1–L4 vertebrae and right femoral neck, and MRI of the lumbar spine in the midsagittal plane.
Results: Age, vertebral signal intensity, osteophytes, and endplate concavity collectively explained 20% of the variance in spine BMD.
Conclusion: The study findings suggest that degenerative findings based on MRI measurements at the lumbar spine have an influence on bone assessment using DXA. Therefore, an overall bone assessment such as DXA might not offer an accurate measure of BMD.
