Bone Densitometer Market

Bone Densitometer: A Comprehensive Guide

Bone densitometer is a medical device used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) accurately. It is a valuable diagnostic tool that helps physicians assess the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. The device works by using x-rays to measure the amount of calcium and other minerals in a specific area of the bone. It is a non-invasive and painless procedure that takes only a few minutes to complete. In this article, we will discuss bone densitometer in detail, including its uses, types, benefits, and limitations.

Uses of Bone Densitometer:

The primary use of bone densitometer is to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition characterized by low bone mass and increased risk of fractures. The device can also detect other bone diseases, such as Paget's disease, osteomalacia, and hyperparathyroidism. Moreover, bone densitometry is helpful in monitoring the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatments and assessing fracture risk in patients with a history of fractures.

Types of Bone Densitometer:

There are two types of bone densitometer: central and peripheral. The central bone densitometer measures BMD in the hip and spine, the area’s most prone to fractures. On the other hand, the peripheral bone densitometer measures BMD in the wrist, heel, and finger. Both types of bone densitometers are accurate and reliable, but central bone densitometers are more commonly used in clinical settings.

Benefits of Bone Densitometer:

Bone densitometer has numerous benefits, including accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis and other bone diseases, non-invasive and painless procedure, and quick results. It is also helpful in identifying patients who are at high risk of fractures and need treatment. Bone densitometry is a safe procedure, and the radiation exposure is minimal, which means that it can be performed on patients of all ages.

Limitations of Bone Densitometer:

Bone densitometer has some limitations that need to be considered. The device can only measure BMD, and it cannot diagnose other conditions that may increase the risk of fractures, such as bone quality, bone turnover, and fall risk. Moreover, the device may not accurately measure BMD in patients with severe arthritis or spinal deformities. Finally, bone densitometer results may vary depending on the equipment used and the interpretation of the results.

Bone densitometer is a valuable tool for diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing fracture risk. It is a non-invasive, painless, and quick procedure that provides accurate results. There are two types of bone densitometers: central and peripheral. Both types are accurate and reliable, but central bone densitometers are more commonly used in clinical settings. Despite some limitations, bone densitometry remains an essential diagnostic tool in the management of bone diseases.

Bone densitometer Market Dynamics

Drivers in the Bone Densitometer Market

The bone densitometer market is driven by various factors, including the rising incidence of osteoporosis. These devices are essential in diagnosing and determining the likelihood of developing bone-related diseases, such as osteoporotic fractures, osteomalacia, and osteoarthritis. Osteoporosis is a significant concern globally, and according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), it results in over 8.9 million fractures annually, with an osteoporotic fracture occurring every three seconds worldwide.

The incidence of osteoporosis is expected to increase significantly in China, with an estimated 286.6 million people projected to have osteoporosis and osteopenia by 2020, and 533.3 million by 2050, according to a study by the IOF. The number of hip fractures has also increased two to three-fold in most Asian countries over the past 30 years, and by 2050, over 50% of all osteoporotic fractures will occur in Asia.

These statistics highlight the growing need for effective diagnostic approaches, driving the demand for bone densitometers. North America holds the largest market share for bone densitometers, followed by Europe. This growth in North America is attributed to various factors, including high consumer awareness, increased healthcare expenditure, the prevalence of osteoporosis, and the presence of key market players in the region.

The global geriatric population has experienced significant growth in recent decades. The population aged 65 and over is growing faster than any other age group worldwide. According to the World Population Prospects, by 2050, the number of people over 65 years old will reach 16% of the global population, up from 9% in 2019. The geriatric population is projected to account for one in four people living in Europe and Northern America by 2050. Moreover, in 2018, for the first time, the number of persons aged 65 or above outnumbered children under five years of age globally. Furthermore, the number of individuals aged 80 years or above is estimated to triple from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050.

Since aging is linked with physiological deterioration of bones, the prevalence of diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, fractures, and joint dislocation is expected to rise in this demographic segment. According to Osteoporosis Canada, osteoporosis is responsible for over 80% of all fractures in individuals aged 50 years and above. The rising prevalence of such diseases due to the growing geriatric population is expected to boost the demand for bone densitometers in the coming years.

The prevalence of kidney disease is on the rise and it is a significant cause of death worldwide. According to the WHO, around 195 million women globally suffer from kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the sixth leading cause of death, and acute kidney injury (AKI) is responsible for an estimated 1.7 million deaths each year. The likelihood of CKD increases with age, with 38% of those aged 65 or older affected, compared to 12% of those aged 45-64 and 18-44.

Interestingly, the majority of the 2 million people who receive treatment for kidney failure are located in only five countries: the US, Japan, Germany, Brazil, and Italy. These countries only represent 12% of the world population. Conversely, around 20% of people receive treatment in about 100 developing countries, which account for more than 50% of the global population. As kidney disease is associated with a decrease in bone mineral density that can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis and osteopenia, its rising prevalence may drive growth in the bone densitometers market.

Restraints in the Bone Densitometer Market

The high cost of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanners, which are used to detect bone mineral density, is a significant restraint in the bone densitometer market. The price range of DEXA scanners is relatively high, ranging from USD 9,180 to 199,000, which limits their adoption in developing countries and small and medium-sized hospitals with controlled budgets. As a result, these facilities often opt for significantly lower-priced conventional systems, which hinders the conversion of analog systems to digital systems and poses a major challenge to the market. Additionally, healthcare facilities that purchase expensive systems often rely on third-party payers to get reimbursements for the costs incurred in diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic procedures performed using these systems. Continuous cuts in reimbursements for bone density testing and diagnostic imaging scans, coupled with increasing device costs, are preventing small and medium-sized healthcare facilities from investing in technologically advanced devices.

Opportunities in the Bone Densitometer Market

Emerging markets such as India, China, and Brazil present significant growth opportunities for players operating in the bone densitometers market. The large target patient population, improving healthcare infrastructure, and growing healthcare awareness are some of the key factors expected to support market growth in these countries during the forecast period. Governments in these nations are investing heavily in modernizing their healthcare systems to address the growing need for diagnosis and detection of bone deformities and related diseases. Rising disposable incomes and healthcare spending in these emerging countries are also expected to increase the affordability of treatment procedures for bone diseases.

Challenges in the Bone Densitometer Market

One of the major challenges facing the bone densitometers market is the lack of access to diagnostics. Despite their high prevalence, the majority of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopenia remain underdiagnosed and untreated. This problem is particularly acute in developing nations due to low awareness about these diseases, as well as the unavailability of adequate resources to diagnose these diseases. Although osteoporosis is prevalent in developing countries like India and China, there is a limited number of people diagnosed at an early stage due to a lack of awareness of preventive healthcare and routine check-ups. Another factor contributing to this problem is limited access to DEXA services.

Despite being the gold standard in measuring bone density, diagnosing osteoporosis, and preventing fractures, DEXA testing is not widely available due to its cost-prohibitive nature. In fact, DEXA reimbursements in the private practice setting have been reduced by over 75% since 2007, with the reimbursement rate falling from USD 140 to USD 42 in 2018. This has resulted in a 50% decline in DEXA testing over the last decade. To address this issue, members of the American College of Radiology (ACR) have lobbied for the Increasing Access to Osteoporosis Testing for Medicare Beneficiaries Act (H.R. 2693/S. 283) in Washington, D.C., which, if passed, would set the minimum for Medicare reimbursement at USD 98, ensuring an increase in bone density testing. Despite the CMS raising the reimbursement rate for DEXA testing in hospital settings, the ACR is pushing for higher reimbursement rates in private practice settings as well.

Budget Cuts

In an effort to reduce healthcare costs, healthcare providers have partnered with group purchasing organizations (GPOs), integrated health networks (IHNs), and integrated delivery networks (IDNs) to collectively purchase medical devices at a competitive price from suppliers and manufacturers. These organizations negotiate bulk purchases of diagnostic imaging devices, including bone densitometers, to help reduce costs for hospitals.

European countries have also experienced reductions in hospital budgets in recent years, with further decreases expected in the future. The French government, for example, planned to reduce the public hospital budget by USD 3.9 billion (EUR 3 billion) by 2021. As a result of these budget cuts, hospitals are unable to afford expensive imaging devices and often choose less expensive alternatives, such as refurbished devices or upgrades to existing equipment. To overcome this challenge, market players must implement effective strategies to meet the needs of these hospitals.

In 2021, the largest share of the bone densitometer market was held by the axial bone densitometry segment. This dominance is expected to continue, as DEXA scanners offer greater accuracy than peripheral bone densitometers and have other advantages. As a result, the segment is expected to grow.

The osteoporosis & osteopenia diagnosis segment was the market leader in 2021, accounting for the largest share of the global bone densitometer market. It is expected to grow at the highest CAGR due to the growing geriatric population and subsequent increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis.

Hospitals & specialty clinics segment also held the largest share of the bone densitometer market in 2021. This is due to the higher preference of patients for hospital-based treatment monitoring of diseases such as cystic fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, and osteoporosis. Therefore, the segment is expected to continue to grow.

During the forecast period, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR. This is driven by the rising geriatric population, significant prevalence of bone-related diseases, increasing healthcare expenditure, and growing public awareness in APAC countries. Additionally, the expansion of global product manufacturers' presence and increasing localized product manufacturing also contribute to market growth.

Bone Densitometer Market Key Players

• GE HEALTHCARE
• HOLOGIC, INC.
• OSI SYSTEMS, INC.
• DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SYSTEMS GROUP
• SWISSRAY GLOBAL HEALTHCARE HOLDING, LTD.
• BEAMMED, LTD.
• ECHOLIGHT S.P.A
• SCANFLEX HEALTHCARE AB
• MEDONICA CO., LTD.
• EUROTEC MEDICAL SYSTEMS S.R.L.
• AMPALL CO., LTD.
• L’ACN L’ACCESSORIO NUCLEARE S.R.L
• SHENZHEN XRAY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
• YOZMA BMTECH CO., LTD.
• NANOOMTECH CO., LTD.
• OSTEOSYS CORPORATION
• FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
• XIANYANG KANROTA DIGITAL ULTRASOUND SYSTEM, CO., LTD.
• XINGAOYI CO., LTD.
• ANJUE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
• GUANGZHOU MEDSINGLONG MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
• TRIVITRON HEALTHCARE
• OSCARE MEDICAL OY
• CYBERLOGIC, INC.
• NANJING KEJIN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD

Recent advancements in the Bone Densitometer Market

In June 2021, DMS Imaging, a part of the Diagnostic Medical Systems Group from France, extended its white-label manufacturing agreement with the FUJIFILM Healthcare Group. This agreement allows for the distribution of DMS Imaging's range of bone densitometers in the ASEAN and MEA regions. The initial distribution agreement was signed in 2017 for the European market.

In May 2019, Hologic, Inc. partnered with DEXA+ to distribute its DXA system for measuring body composition. The partnership helped Hologic expand its capabilities in assessing body composition.

In February 2022, Aurora Spine Corporation entered into a joint co-marketing agreement with Echolight Medical for patient assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microarchitecture quality, independent of BMD.

The global bone densitometer market is expected to see significant growth in the coming years due to the rising prevalence of osteoporosis, a medical condition characterized by weakened bones and increased risk of fractures. Advances in medical technology and increasing awareness of the condition have led to the development of bone densitometry devices, which allow for accurate and non-invasive measurements of bone density.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for portable and handheld bone densitometers, which offer greater convenience and flexibility compared to traditional stationary devices. These portable devices are particularly useful in remote or rural areas where access to healthcare facilities may be limited. Manufacturers are investing in research and development to create more advanced and user-friendly portable bone densitometry devices.

Another major trend in the bone densitometer market is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology. These technologies can help healthcare professionals make more accurate and efficient diagnoses by analyzing large amounts of data from bone scans. AI-powered bone densitometry devices can also help identify patients at higher risk of osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions, allowing for earlier intervention and treatment.

In addition, there is a growing focus on improving patient comfort and experience during bone density testing. Manufacturers are developing devices with enhanced ergonomics and reduced radiation exposure, as well as incorporating features such as music and video displays to help patients relax during the procedure.

North America currently dominates the global bone densitometer market, driven by a high prevalence of osteoporosis and a well-established healthcare infrastructure. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to see significant growth in the coming years due to the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis and a growing demand for advanced medical devices.