Estimation of stature by measuring fibula and ulna bone length in 2443 older adults

Estimation of Stature by Measuring Fibula and Ulna Bone Length in 2443 Older Adults.

Knee height has been commonly used to estimate stature but may not always be possible in the frail older adults with compromised posture. Measurement of fibula and ulna bone length could be an alternative method. We attempted to develop and validate regression models to predict measured and reported height using age, fibula length, ulna length, hip circumferences and body weight.

A cross-sectional survey.

The study was conducted in the Jockey Club Centre for Osteoporosis Care and Control, School of Public Health, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Two thousand four hundred and forty three community-dwelling older Chinese aged from 65 to 98 years were recruited.

The standing height, fibula length, ulna length, hip circumference and body weight were measured and the reported height was recorded. Three separate multiple linear regression models were developed to predict measured-height and reported-height respectively.

In predicting measured-height by the bone-length model, the mean errors were +0.52 cm (over-estimation) in men and +0.45 cm (over-estimation) in women and the SDs were +/- 3.5 cm in both genders. The 95% limits of agreement were: -6.65 to +7.70 cm for men and -6.59 to +7.49 cm for women.

The accuracy and precision of stature estimation by fibula and ulna bone length is comparable to that by knee height. This may be an acceptable alternative method when knee height measurement is difficult or when the knee height caliper is not available.