Armenian American Cultural Association, Inc. AACA

Bone Densitometry & Osteoporosis Screening

Osteoporosis is an age-related disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and loss of normal skeletal microarchitecture, leading to increased susceptibility to fractures.

In October 2006, the Wellness Center installed the first-ever DEXA machine in Armenia. This non-invasive, digital unit represented a breakthrough for osteoporosis detection in Armenia.  The unit was upgraded in 2010 with the addition of the latest apex 3.1.1 software with Frax. 

Frax is a web-tool that integrates clinical information in a quantitative manner to predict a 10 year probability of major osteoporotic fracture for both women and men.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most accurate and advanced of the technologies used to measure bone mineral density (BMD). Low BMD indicates osteoporosis, a ‘silent’ disease which causes bones to weaken and break more easily. Without DXA testing, people are unaware that they have the serious disease and are at high risk of suffering debilitating fragility fractures.

The Bone Densitometry & Osteoporosis Screening Program screens between 30-40 patients per month at the Wellness Center.