Canadian adult reference data for body composition, trabecular bone score and advanced hip analysis using DXA

DXA-derived reference data for visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and advanced hip analysis (AHA) parameters spanning the entire adult lifespan are limited. The purpose of this study was to develop age-, site- and sex-specific reference data for dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) -derived body composition, trabecular bone score (TBS) and advanced hip analysis (AHA) parameters across the adult lifespan. Adults (N = 908; female: 561 and male: 347) from Calgary and the surrounding area over the age of 20 years participated in this study. Participants received DXA scans of their hip (total hip [TH] and femoral neck [FN]), lumbar spine [LS], forearm [33 % site] and total body (iDXA, GE Lunar, GE Healthcare). Areal bone mineral density (aBMD, g/cm²) was captured at all sites, and body composition variables, including lean mass, fat mass and percent fat, were analyzed from the total body scan. VAT mass was assessed from total body DXA scans. Advanced hip analysis (AHA) was performed on hip scans and trabecular bone score (TBS) on the LS scans to assess bone quality. Site- and sex-specific centile curves and tables were generated using the Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS) method. Clinicians and researchers can use these Canadian reference data as a tool to assess body composition, TBS and AHA parameters across the adult lifespan.