Journal of Clinical Densitometry Announces New Title, Expanded Scope

Philadelphia, May 2008 – The editors of the Journal of Clinical Densitometry, the official journal of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD), have announced a new title, reflecting the expansion of the journal’s scope to encompass not just bone density measurement but all aspects of evaluating skeletal strength and fracture risk.

Beginning this year, the journal title changes to Journal of Clinical Densitometry – Assessment of Skeletal Health. “Our new title reflects the growth that has occurred in the field of bone mass measurements, as science better defines ’bone quality’ and strives to provide real-world application of new and emerging technologies for assessment of bone strength,” comments Editor-in-Chief Paul D. Miller, MD, CCD.

Historically, JCD has focused on techniques for measuring bone mass and bone density, especially dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)—the “workhorse” test for diagnosis and monitoring in patients with osteoporosis and other metabolic diseases. However, it has become clear that bone strength involves more than measurements such as bone mineral density (BMD).

“Although standard measures of BMD using two-dimensional DXA reflect about 70 percent of bone strength, there is a substantial amount of bone strength that cannot be captured by DXA,” according to Dr. Miller. For example, fracture risk continues to increase sharply after age 50, even at equivalent levels of BMD. While DXA can measure increases in bone density with drug treatment, these increases aren’t directly related to reductions in fracture risk. With its expanded focus, Journal of Clinical Densitometry – Assessment of Skeletal Health reflects the rapid growth of scientific knowledge relevant to measuring bone strength, “beyond DXA.”

The journal features an updated design, with cover images illustrating advanced technologies for measuring bone strength. A new editorial board review section has been added to seek and develop high-quality review articles in key areas. Another new feature is a “Clinical and Technical Hot Topic” section, presenting short clinical or technical cases of interest to clinician-technologists and trainees. The JCD website remains External link www.clinicaldensitometry.com.

What has not changed is the journal’s unique, cross-disciplinary perspective, addressing the concerns of all health professionals involved in clinical bone measurement. This includes physicians from a wide range of specialties—such as radiology, endocrinology, rheumatology, and women’s health—along with densitometry technologists.

The first issue of the new era of Journal of Clinical Densitometry – Assessment of Skeletal Health featured position statements from the fourth adult and first pediatric ISCD Position Development Conferences on bone strength measurement in adults, and children. This major contribution to expanding the sciences of adult and pediatric bone mass utilization was spearheaded by current ISCD president, Dr. Sanford Baim, and provides evidence based progress on new frontiers in global technologies to measure skeletal mass and strength.

“The ISCD is proud of its contributions to promote both the science and the clinical applications of measuring bone strength, and facilitate both competent patient management in the field of metabolic bone disease and cooperative efforts among the many professional societies dedicated to bone,” adds Dr. Miller. ”In this regard, the JCD and now Journal of Clinical Densitometry – Assessment of Skeletal Health will continue to foster growth in this vital area of diseases that affect bone metabolism"