Table of Contents

Component Description

Users of the 2017-2018 dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry spine bone data (DXXSPN_J) are encouraged to read the documentation before accessing the data file.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most widely accepted method of measuring bone density due in part to its speed, ease of use, and low radiation exposure (Baran, 1997; Genant, 1996; Heymsfield, 1989; and Njeh, 1999). DXA scans of the lumbar spine have been administered in the NHANES mobile examination center (MEC) from 2005-2010, 2013-2014, and 2017-2018.

The spine scans provide bone measurements for the total spine and vertebrae L1 – L4. Measurements include:

Eligible Sample

Participants aged 50 years of age and over were eligible. Pregnant females were excluded from the DXA examination. Participants who were excluded from the DXA examination for reasons other than pregnancy were eligible nonrespondents. Reasons for exclusion from the DXA examination were as follows:

Participants were excluded from the spine scan if they reported a Harrington Rod in the spine for scoliosis.

The variable DXASPNST indicates the examination status for the spine scan. The codes for DXASPNST are as follows:

DXASPNST – spine scan examination status variable
1 = Spine scan completed, and all vertebrae are valid
2 = Spine scan completed, but one or more vertebrae are invalid
4 = Spine not scanned, weight > 450 lbs
5 = Spine not scanned, other reason

The main reasons for completed, but invalid, spine scans were an insufficient scan area or partial scan, degenerative disease/severe scoliosis, and sclerotic spine/spinal fusion/laminectomy. The “Not scanned, other reason” code includes no time to complete the examination, pregnancy test not completed, and participant refusal, as well as exclusion for reasons other than pregnancy, such as a medical test.

 

Protocol and Procedure

The spine scans were acquired on Hologic Discovery model A densitometers (Hologic, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts), using software version Apex 3.2. The radiation exposure from DXA for the spine scan is extremely low at less than 20 uSv. All scans in the DXXSPN_J file were analyzed with Hologic APEX version 4.0 software.

The DXA examinations were administered by trained and certified radiology technologists. Further details of the DXA examination protocol are documented in the Body Composition Procedures Manual on the NHANES website.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

A high level of quality control was maintained throughout the DXA data collection and scan analysis, including a rigorous phantom scanning schedule.

Monitoring of Field Staff and Densitometers
Staff from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the NHANES data collection contractor monitored technologist acquisition performance through in-person observations in the field. Retraining sessions were conducted with the technologists annually and as needed to reinforce correct techniques and appropriate protocol. In addition, technologist performance codes were recorded by the NHANES quality control center Shepherd Research Lab at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Department of Radiology (2017) and at the University of Hawaii (UH) Cancer Center (2018) during review of participant scans. The codes documented when the technologist had deviated from acquisition procedures and where scan quality could have been improved. The performance codes were tracked for each technologist individually and a summary was reported to NCHS on a quarterly basis. Additional feedback on technologist performance was provided by the Shepherd Research Lab when problems were noted during review of the scans. Constant communication was maintained throughout the year among the Shepherd Research Lab, the NCHS, and the data collection contractor regarding any issues that arose.

Hologic service engineers performed all routine densitometer maintenance and repairs. Copies of all reports completed by the manufacturer’s service engineers were sent to the quality control center when the scanners were serviced or repaired so any changes in measurement as a result of the work could be assessed.

Scan Analysis
Each participant scan and phantom scan was reviewed and analyzed by the Shepherd Research Lab using standard radiologic techniques and study-specific protocols developed for the NHANES. The Hologic software, APEX verson 4.0 (Hologic) was used to analyze all spine scans acquired in 2017-18. Expert review was conducted by the Shepherd Research Lab on 100% of analyzed participant scans to verify the accuracy and consistency of the results.

Invalidity Codes
Invalidity codes were applied by the Shepherd Research Lab to indicate the reasons spine regions of interest (ROI) could not be analyzed accurately. The invalidity codes are provided in the data file (see Data Processing and Editing section for a more detailed description of the invalidity codes).

Quality Control Scans
The quality control phantoms were scanned according to a predetermined schedule. The Hologic Anthropomorphic Spine Phantom that traveled with each MEC was scanned daily as required by the manufacturer to ensure accurate calibration of the densitometer. The Hologic Femur Phantom was scanned once each week. A Hologic Spine (HSP-Q96) Phantom and a Hologic Block Phantom circulated among the MECs and were scanned at the start of operations at each survey site.

The complete phantom scanning schedule is described in the Body Composition Procedures Manual on the NHANES website.

In 2017-2018, longitudinal monitoring was conducted through daily spine phantom scans as required by the manufacturer and through the once weekly femur phantom scans in order to correct any scanner-related changes in participant data. The circulating HSP-Q96 and block phantoms, which were scanned at the start of operations at each site, provided additional data for use in longitudinal monitoring and cross calibration.

The Shepherd Research Lab used the Cumulative Statistics method (CUSUM) and the MEC-specific phantom data to determine breaks in the calibration of the densitometers over the course of the survey (Lu, 1996). No shifting or drifting of the MEC-specific spine phantom values was found for any of the three MECs during 2017-2018. Therefore, no corrections to the participant data were needed. Comparison of data for the phantoms that circulated among the MECs indicated no statistically significant differences so that data from the three MECs could be combined.

Several data quality issues were addressed through the quality control program. Direct feedback given to the technologists regarding acquisition problems affecting the quality of the scans and yearly refresher training resulted in improved technologist performance. The rigorous schedule of quality control scans provided continuous monitoring of machine performance. The expert review procedures helped to ensure that scan analysis was accurate and consistent.

 

Data Processing and Editing

During the editing process, data were reviewed for completeness, consistency, and outliers. Back-end edits of the data were performed when errors were identified.

Invalidity Codes
Invalidity codes were included in the data file to indicate the reasons and spine regions of interest (ROI) could not be analyzed accurately. Invalidity codes were applicable to completed scans only (DXASPNST = 1 or 2). If a participant was not scanned, all invalidity codes are missing.

The invalidity codes are provided in the data file as follows:

Invalidity codes
DXXOSBCC = total spine BMD
DXXL1BCC = L1 vertebra BMD
DXXL2BCC = L2 vertebra BMD
DXXL3BCC = L3 vertebra BMD
DXXL4BCC = L4 vertebra BMD

Values for DXXL1BCC, DXXL2BCC, DXXL3BCC, DXXL4BCC
0 = Valid data
1 = Removable or non-removable objects
3 = Excessive x-ray “noise” due to obesity
4 = Insufficient scan area
5 = Movement
6 = (degenerative diseases, spinal fusion, fractures)

Values for DXXOSBCC
0 = valid data
1 = invalid data

If one or more spine vertebrae were coded as invalid, total spine BMD was coded as invalid (DXXOSBCC = 1) and all spine data were set to missing.

Analytic Notes

The NHANES examination sample weights should be used for any analyses using the DXXSPN_J data. Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues. Both of these are available on the the NHANES website.

References

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS

DXASPNST - Spine scan status

Variable Name:
DXASPNST
SAS Label:
Spine scan status
English Text:
Spine scan status
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Spine scan completed, all vertebrae are valid 1274 1274
2 Spine scan completed, but one or more vertebrae are invalid 1199 2473
4 Spine not scanned, weight > 450 lbs 2 2475
5 Spine not scanned, other reason 423 2898
. Missing 0 2898

DXXOSBCC - Total spine BMD invalidity code

Variable Name:
DXXOSBCC
SAS Label:
Total spine BMD invalidity code
English Text:
Total spine BMD invalidity code
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Valid data 1274 1274
1 Invalid data 1199 2473
. Missing 425 2898

DXXL1BCC - L1 BMD invalidity code

Variable Name:
DXXL1BCC
SAS Label:
L1 BMD invalidity code
English Text:
L1 BMD invalidity code
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Valid data 2219 2219
1 Removable or non-removable objects 18 2237
3 Excessive x-ray noise due to morbid obesity 0 2237
4 Insufficient scan area 7 2244
5 Movement 3 2247
6 Other (degenerative diseases, spinal fusion, fractures) 226 2473
. Missing 425 2898

DXXL2BCC - L2 BMD invalidity code

Variable Name:
DXXL2BCC
SAS Label:
L2 BMD invalidity code
English Text:
L2 BMD invalidity code
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Valid data 1985 1985
1 Removable or non-removable objects 24 2009
3 Excessive x-ray noise due to morbid obesity 0 2009
4 Insufficient scan area 0 2009
5 Movement 3 2012
6 Other (degenerative diseases, spinal fusion, fractures) 461 2473
. Missing 425 2898

DXXL3BCC - L3 BMD invalidity code

Variable Name:
DXXL3BCC
SAS Label:
L3 BMD invalidity code
English Text:
L3 BMD invalidity code
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Valid data 1922 1922
1 Removable or non-removable objects 34 1956
3 Excessive x-ray noise due to morbid obesity 0 1956
4 Insufficient scan area 0 1956
5 Movement 2 1958
6 Other (degenerative diseases, spinal fusion, fractures) 515 2473
. Missing 425 2898

DXXL4BCC - L4 BMD invalidity code

Variable Name:
DXXL4BCC
SAS Label:
L4 BMD invalidity code
English Text:
L4 BMD invalidity code
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Valid data 1743 1743
1 Removable or non-removable objects 45 1788
3 Excessive x-ray noise due to morbid obesity 0 1788
4 Insufficient scan area 1 1789
5 Movement 3 1792
6 Other (degenerative diseases, spinal fusion, fractures) 681 2473
. Missing 425 2898

DXXOSBMD - Total spine BMD

Variable Name:
DXXOSBMD
SAS Label:
Total spine BMD
English Text:
Total spine BMD
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0.454 to 1.796 Range of Values 1274 1274
. Missing 1624 2898

DXXOSBMC - Total spine BMC

Variable Name:
DXXOSBMC
SAS Label:
Total spine BMC
English Text:
Total spine BMC
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10.19 to 132.18 Range of Values 1274 1274
. Missing 1624 2898

DXXOSA - Total spine area

Variable Name:
DXXOSA
SAS Label:
Total spine area
English Text:
Total spine area
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
15.56 to 91.61 Range of Values 1274 1274
. Missing 1624 2898

DXXL1BMD - L1 BMD

Variable Name:
DXXL1BMD
SAS Label:
L1 BMD
English Text:
L1 BMD
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 1.684 Range of Values 2213 2213
. Missing 685 2898

DXXL1BMC - L1 BMC

Variable Name:
DXXL1BMC
SAS Label:
L1 BMC
English Text:
L1 BMC
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 34.41 Range of Values 2213 2213
. Missing 685 2898

DXXL1A - L1 area

Variable Name:
DXXL1A
SAS Label:
L1 area
English Text:
L1 area
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 24.93 Range of Values 2213 2213
. Missing 685 2898

DXXL2BMD - L2 BMD

Variable Name:
DXXL2BMD
SAS Label:
L2 BMD
English Text:
L2 BMD
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0.461 to 1.796 Range of Values 1980 1980
. Missing 918 2898

DXXL2BMC - L2 BMC

Variable Name:
DXXL2BMC
SAS Label:
L2 BMC
English Text:
L2 BMC
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
5.37 to 38.53 Range of Values 1980 1980
. Missing 918 2898

DXXL2A - L2 area

Variable Name:
DXXL2A
SAS Label:
L2 area
English Text:
L2 area
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
7.88 to 23.86 Range of Values 1980 1980
. Missing 918 2898

DXXL3BMD - L3 BMD

Variable Name:
DXXL3BMD
SAS Label:
L3 BMD
English Text:
L3 BMD
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0.461 to 2.035 Range of Values 1914 1914
. Missing 984 2898

DXXL3BMC - L3 BMC

Variable Name:
DXXL3BMC
SAS Label:
L3 BMC
English Text:
L3 BMC
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
4.76 to 44.01 Range of Values 1914 1914
. Missing 984 2898

DXXL3A - L3 area

Variable Name:
DXXL3A
SAS Label:
L3 area
English Text:
L3 area
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
8.83 to 25.39 Range of Values 1914 1914
. Missing 984 2898

DXXL4BMD - L4 BMD

Variable Name:
DXXL4BMD
SAS Label:
L4 BMD
English Text:
L4 BMD
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0.452 to 2.85 Range of Values 1734 1734
. Missing 1164 2898

DXXL4BMC - L4 BMC

Variable Name:
DXXL4BMC
SAS Label:
L4 BMC
English Text:
L4 BMC
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
5.43 to 59.77 Range of Values 1734 1734
. Missing 1164 2898

DXXL4A - L4 area

Variable Name:
DXXL4A
SAS Label:
L4 area
English Text:
L4 area
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
9.84 to 28.39 Range of Values 1734 1734
. Missing 1164 2898

DXASPNK - Calculated K for spine

Variable Name:
DXASPNK
SAS Label:
Calculated K for spine
English Text:
Calculated K for spine
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1.1119 to 1.1628 Range of Values 2463 2463
. Missing 435 2898

DXASPND0 - Calculated DO for spine

Variable Name:
DXASPND0
SAS Label:
Calculated DO for spine
English Text:
Calculated DO for spine
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
33.1402 to 49.5598 Range of Values 2463 2463
. Missing 435 2898