DXA referral ratios were 1:1.6 (men) and 1:1.8 (women) for 2007-2010 vs. 2003-2006; proportions of referrals doubled for men and tripled for women from 2003 to 2010. Overall, rates of DXA utilization remained low. Policy changes may have had minimal influence on referral; thus, ongoing evaluation over time is warranted.
For both sexes, the most common reason for referral was being aged 70 years or older. Referred women were twice as likely as men to have BMD in the osteoporosis range. These data suggest that even more women may need to be referred to DXA.
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