NGHIÊN CỨU GIÁ TRỊ LSC (LEAST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE) Ở PHỤ NỮ LOÃNG XƯƠNG SAU MÃN KINH

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the least significant change (LSC) values and investigate several factors influencing LSC in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 61 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated at the Rheumatology Department of the Military Hospital 103 from August 2025 to March 2026. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured twice consecutively on the same day. Based on repeated BMD measurement errors, LSC values were calculated using the Bland and Altman method. Results: The LSC value at the lumbar spine was 0.02 g/cm², while that at the femoral neck was 0.035 g/cm². There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with BMD changes exceeding the LSC threshold according to age groups and duration of menopause (p > 0.05). However, a statistically significant association was observed between BMI and the proportion of BMD changes exceeding the LSC threshold at the lumbar spine (p = 0.006), whereas no such association was found at the femoral neck (p = 0.205). Conclusion: The LSC values at the lumbar spine and femoral neck were 0.02 g/cm² and 0.035 g/cm², respectively. LSC was influenced by BMI but was not affected by age or duration  of menopause.