Axial and appendicular bone density predict fractures in older women

To determine whether measurement of hip and spine bone mass by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) predicts fractures in women and to compare the predictive value of DEXA with that of single‐photon absorptiometry (SPA) of appendicular sites, we prospectively studied 8134 nonblack women age 65 years and older who had both DEXA and SPA measurements of bone mass. A total of 208 nonspine fractures, including 37 wrist fractures, occurred during...