NIH-Funded Study Shows BDI's Bone Density Test Using Existing CT Images Predicts Fractures
May 14 2024 - 1:38PM
Business Wire
BDI test enables early, easy detection of
osteoporosis and fracture prevention. Using existing medical data
for test removes the cost and other barriers to recommended
osteoporosis screening.
An NIH-funded study recently published in Osteoporosis
International found that a bone density test (the gold standard for
diagnosing osteoporosis) using one’s existing CT scan predicts
(enabling prevention of) fractures. Given the high prevalence,
severity, and (if detected early) ease of treatment of osteoporosis
(a condition characterized by weakened bones prone to fractures),
this technology-enabled bone density test from Los Angeles-based
company BDI can significantly improve population health and reduce
costs to the health system. The full study is published in
Osteoporosis International at https://rdcu.be/dCbW7 (DOI
10.1007/s00198-024-07040-5).
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Preventing fractures through bone health
(Graphic: Business Wire)
Osteoporosis is the main cause of all fractures in women
post-menopause and older men and is much more prevalent and severe
than commonly understood. As a “silent disease” generally without
symptoms, screening via a bone density test is the only effective
way to detect and treat osteoporosis before it’s too late (a
fracture). Yet only 8% of people who should be screened for
osteoporosis do get screened, according to the U.S. Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
- 23.9% of men and 28.7% of women 50+ years old have
osteoporosis, 75% of whom are undiagnosed and thus untreated.
Result:
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men 50+ yrs. old experience an
osteoporotic fracture(s);
- Women have more osteoporotic fractures than heart attacks,
strokes, and breast cancer combined;
- Men: The risk of an osteoporotic fracture is up to 27% higher
than that of developing prostate cancer;
- Osteoporotic fractures are often devastating - even deadly
(especially hip fractures). And costly: $57 billion for the
Medicare population alone in 2018; 4th most burdensome chronic
disease after ischemic heart disease, dementia, and lung cancer as
measured by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs); etc.
Sometimes called “opportunistic” screening, BDI screening uses a
patient’s existing CT scan. No new imaging is required as with the
traditional method of osteoporosis screening via DXA imaging. No
additional radiation, patient or other burden, cost, equipment, or
staffing. BDI is seamless for all, safe, saves money, fast, and
accurate – including in predicting fractures as shown in this
study.
This is the first study in the literature to show the predictive
value for fractures of vertebral trabecular bone mineral density
(vBMD) derived from CT. This is also one of only a few studies to
date evaluating the association between vBMD and
osteoporosis-related hip and vertebral fractures in a multiethnic
population.
This Emory co-authored study shows that vBMD determined by BDI
from routine CT images can predict hip and vertebral fractures.
Compared to normal BMD patients, patients with low vBMD showed a
1.57-fold greater risk of a first hip fracture and a nearly
threefold increased risk of a first vertebral fracture.
BDI's osteoporosis screening is widely covered by insurance for
women age 50+ and older men, as well as younger women and men with
elevated osteoporosis risk. Patient co-pay/deductible is generally
waived, as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has long
recommended osteoporosis screening.
“By enabling very accurate screening at scale using existing CT
images, BDI significantly removes the barriers to osteoporosis
screening and fracture prediction,” said UCLA Professor of Medicine
and BDI Chief Medical Officer Dr. Matthew Budoff, MD. “Osteoporosis
treatment/fracture prevention is easy, safe, inexpensive, and
effective compared to many other diseases. Treatment/prevention may
entail increased exercise, calcium, or other supplement intake.
Drugs, if prescribed, are well-proven and mostly generics. These
osteoporosis treatments can help reduce the risk of fracture by up
to 70%. For all these reasons, recommended osteoporosis screening
for early detection and treatment and fracture prevention is a
win-win-win for patients, providers, payers, and the health system
generally.”
“Osteoporosis is prevalent among and severely impacts
middle-aged and older adults irrespective of gender, geography,
ethnicity or socio-economic status. A great scourge that has fallen
through the cracks of the health system,” said BDI CEO Jonathan
Taub. “With treatment and now screening so easy, awareness is the
main hurdle to turn the tide against osteoporosis. Healthcare
providers and payers should remind their patients and members to
get screened for osteoporosis per medical guidelines. Patients
should ask their doctors about screening options. Community leaders
and other influencers can help raise awareness as well. With our
aging population and other trends, our already acute
osteoporosis/fracture problem will get even worse without action.
Together, we can turn the tide against the osteoporosis
scourge.”
BDI Incorporated is a spin-out of The Lundquist Institute for
Biomedical Innovation at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. BDI provides
bone health analytics to providers using their patients’ routine,
existing medical images (no new imaging required). Our internal
team of expert physicians utilizes BDI’s proprietary, clinically
validated algorithms for early osteoporosis and bone fracture
diagnostics and prediction – enabling prevention. BDI's screening
service is widely covered by payers (e.g., CPT code 77078,
bolsters/helps close the gaps for HEDIS quality measures/star
ratings, etc.).
To learn more about BDI, visit www.bdi.ai .
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Max Benavidez, PhD Max.Benavidez@lundquist.org 310-200-2682