For a pre-menopausal woman, which measurement should accompany the BMD report?

• A. T-score
• B. Z-score
• C. Standard deviation
• D. Quality index

Answer: (B)

In the context of bone mineral density (BMD) reports, especially for pre-menopausal women, the Z-score is the appropriate measurement to accompany the report. The Z-score compares an individual's bone density results to those of a healthy population that is the same age and sex as the individual being tested. This information is particularly relevant for pre-menopausal women because their bone density may not be expected to follow the same trends as post-menopausal women, who are more commonly considered when evaluating T-scores.

The T-score, on the other hand, is used primarily for comparing an individual's BMD to a healthy 30-year-old adult, making it more applicable for diagnosing osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Since the physiological changes associated with menopause can significantly affect bone density, relying on a T-score in pre-menopausal women could lead to misinterpretation of their bone health status.

While standard deviation and quality index are valuable in certain contexts, they do not provide the necessary age- and sex-specific comparison that the Z-score does. Therefore, the Z-score is crucial for interpreting BMD results in pre-menopausal women and helps guide appropriate clinical decisions regarding their bone health.