What condition does a T-score of -1.5 indicate according to diagnostic criteria?

A T-score of -1.5 indicates the presence of osteopenia. The T-score is a standard deviation comparison of an individual's bone mineral density (BMD) to that of a young healthy adult population. According to diagnostic criteria, a T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 signifies low bone mass, which is categorized as osteopenia.

Osteopenia represents a condition where bone density is lower than normal but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis, which is characterized by a T-score of -2.5 or lower. Hence, a T-score of -1.5 falls squarely into the osteopenia range, indicating an intermediate stage where the risk of developing osteoporosis is increased but yet to reach that diagnostic threshold.

Understanding this context helps highlight the relevance of regular bone density screenings, especially in populations at risk, to prevent progression to more severe bone density loss and associated complications.