[Measuring bone density with ultrasound osteodensitometry--results of a pilot study]

Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease with a decrease in bone structure and increased risk of fractures. The primary diagnosis of osteoporosis and the surveillance of therapeutic interventions is based either on laboratory or on radiological diagnosis. In a pilot study encompassing 274 women the routine use of ultrasound osteodensitometry (QUS, Lunar Achilles) of the os calcaneus was validated and tested. Velocity of the ultrasound signal (SOS) and frequency attenuation (BUA) were measured and the proprietary index stiffness calculated. In 47 women ultrasound data were compared with the DXA measurements. Results from both methods correlated significantly. Postmenopausal patients with HRT had significant better QUS values than those without HRT. Results from both diagnostic methods (QUS versus DXA) correlated significantly. Women with HRT showed significantly increased bone measurements compared to those without HRT. This correlated with an increase in bone metabolism. QUS of the os calcaneus was easy to perform, without time spent or inconvenience for and with high acceptance by the volunteers/patients. The conformity of the results of the different methods (DXA, QUS) may--if the follow up study confirms these results--lead to a routine use of QUS for screening and therapy monitoring.