Accuracy of comparing bone quality to chocolate bars for patient information purposes: observational study

doi:10.1136/bmj.39413.798472.BE

BMJ 2007;335:1285-1287 (22 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.39413.798472.BE

Mixed messages

Accuracy of comparing bone quality to chocolate bars for patient information purposes: observational study

Phil Jones, consultant physician¹, Sarah Jones, research nurse¹, Debbie Stone, osteoporosis specialist nurse¹

¹ Bronglais General Hospital, Aberystwyth SY23 1ER

Correspondence to: P Jones phil.jones{at}ceredigion-tr.wales.nhs.uk

Objective To test whether standard information for patientsusing Crunchie and Aero chocolate bars to explain bone healthand risk of fracture is robust.

Design Observational study.

Setting Domestic kitchen in rural west Wales.

Participants 10 Crunchie bars and 10 Aero bars.

Main outcome measure Fracture after falls from varying heights.

Results Both Crunchie and Aero bars exhibited the same T andZ scores for bone density. Crunchie bars had a lower chocolatemass index than the Aero bars. Crunchie bars are more liableto fracture.

Conclusions Using Crunchie and Aero chocolate bars to explainbone structure to patients may be visually attractive but oversimplifiesthe situation.

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Breadsticks are a worthy study model as well: Karl A Grindulis
bmj.com, 21 Dec 2007 [Full text]
poor camparisons: R. A. Evans
bmj.com, 22 Dec 2007 [Full text]
Accuracy of T score determination for Choc Bars: John J. Brand
bmj.com, 22 Dec 2007 [Full text]
How old was your chocolate?: Susan M Ott
bmj.com, 30 Dec 2007 [Full text]
A fallen engineer writes...: John Shaw
bmj.com, 9 Jan 2008 [Full text]