Quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus in a Korean population: reference data and relationship to bone mineral density determined by peripheral dual X-ray absorptiometry

Radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry compared with dual X-ray absorptiometry for osteoporosis diagnosis on lumbar spine and femoral neck

An innovative, non-ionizing technique to diagnose osteoporosis on lumbar spine and femoral neck was evaluated through a multicenter study involving 1914 women. The proposed method showed significant agreement with reference gold standard method and, therefore, a potential for early osteoporosis diagnoses and possibly improved patient management.

INTRODUCTION

To assess precision (i.e., short term intra-operator precision) and diagnostic accuracy of an innovative non-ionizing technique, REMS (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry), in comparison with the clinical gold standard reference DXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry), through an observational multicenter clinical study.

METHODS

In a multicenter cross-sectional observational study, a total of 1914 postmenopausal women (51-70 years) underwent spinal (n = 1553) and/or femoral (n = 1637) DXA, according to their medical prescription, and echographic scan of the same anatomical sites performed with the REMS approach. All the medical reports (DXA and REMS) were carefully checked to identify possible errors that could have caused inaccurate measurements: erroneous REMS reports were excluded, whereas erroneous DXA reports were re-analyzed where possible and otherwise excluded before assessing REMS accuracy. REMS precision was independently assessed.

RESULTS

In the spinal group, quality assessment on medical reports produced the exclusion of 280 patients because of REMS errors and 78 patients because of DXA errors, whereas 296 DXA reports were re-analyzed and corrected. Analogously, in the femoral group there were 205 exclusions for REMS errors, 59 exclusions for DXA errors, and 217 re-analyzed DXA reports. In the resulting dataset (n = 1195 for spine, n = 1373 for femur) REMS outcome showed a good agreement with DXA: the average difference in bone mineral density (BMD, bias ± 2SD) was -0.004 ± 0.088 g/cm² for spine and - 0.006 ± 0.076 g/cm² for femur. Linear regression showed also that the two methods were well correlated: standard error of the estimate (SEE) was 5.3% for spine and 5.8% for femur. REMS precision, expressed as RMS-CV, was 0.38% for spine and 0.32% for femur.

CONCLUSIONS

The REMS approach can be used for non-ionizing osteoporosis diagnosis directly on lumbar spine and femoral neck with a good level of accuracy and precision. However, a more rigorous operator training is needed to limit the erroneous acquisitions and to ensure the full clinical practicability.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association between Autoantibodies and Qualitative Ultrasound Index of Bone in an Elderly Sample without Clinical Autoimmune Disease

Bone loss is characteristic of the ageing process and a common complication of many autoimmune diseases. Research has highlighted a potential role of autoantibodies in pathologic bone loss. The confounding effects of immunomodulatory drugs make it difficult to establish the contribution of autoantibodies amongst autoimmune disease sufferers. We attempted to examine the relationship between autoantibodies and bone mass in a population of 2812 elderly participants without clinical autoimmune disease. Serum samples were assayed for a panel of autoantibodies (anti-nuclear, extractable nuclear antigen, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic, thyroid peroxidase, tissue transglutaminase, anti-cardiolipin, rheumatoid factor, and cyclic citrullinated peptide). Bone mass was measured using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneus. The relationship between each autoantibody and bone mass was determined using linear regression models. Anti-nuclear autoantibodies were the most prevalent, positive in approximately 11%, and borderline in roughly 23% of our sample. They were also the only autoantibody observed to be significantly associated with QUS index in the univariate analysis (n = 1628; r = -0.20; 95% CI: -0.40-0.00; p = 0.046). However, statistical significance was lost after adjustment for various other potential confounders. None of the other autoantibodies was associated with QUS index in either univariate or multivariate analysis. We are limited by the cross-sectional nature of the study and the low prevalence of autoantibodies in our nonclinical sample.

Peak Bone Mass and Quantitative Ultrasound Bone Properties in Young Adulthood: A Study in the PEAK-25 Cohort of Women

Peak bone mass is normally reached in the third decade of life. Previously, in the population-based PEAK-25 cohort (n = 1061, age 25.5 ± 0.2), we demonstrated that bone mineral density in the population-based PEAK-25 cohort is comparatively high; therefore, this study aimed to determine if the calcaneus microarchitecture mirrored this. In the process, we describe normative quantitative ultrasound (QUS) values for 25-yr-old women and the relationship between QUS values and extremes of body weight. QUS variables speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness index were measured. Young adult values were based on the manufacturer-supplied QUS reference values. Analyses were performed in the cohort as a whole, and additionally, to understand the relationship between body weight and QUS values in young women, the variables were categorized into octiles for weight or body mass index (BMI) and the lowest and highest octiles were compared. In the cohort, SOS values, reflecting bone density, were higher (108 ± 18%), whereas BUA values, reflecting bone complexity, were lower (90 ± 14%) compared to the young adult reference population. SOS did not correlate with body weight or BMI. In the cohort, overall correlations between BUA weight, and BMI were small and positive (Pearson's r coefficients 0.261 and 0.197, respectively; p < 0.001), although in the low-weight group, r coefficients were higher (r = 0.313 and 0.268; p < 0.05). In contrast, in the high-weight group, correlation with BUA values tended to be small, negative, and nonsignificant. Correlation between QUS and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-measured bone mineral density was low to moderate and significant at all skeletal sites (r = 0.37-0.52). Whereas coefficients tended to be higher in the low-weight group, the reverse was apparent for the low-BMI group. In these 25-yr-old women, a comparatively high dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-measured bone mass is offset by less complex bone structures assessed by QUS. This may have implications for later osteoporosis assessment and future fracture risk.

Lifestyle and Genetic Predictors of Stiffness Index in Community-dwelling Elderly Korean Men and Women

PURPOSE

Differing lifestyle, nutritional, and genetic factors may lead to a differing stiffness index (SI) determined by quantitative ultrasound in elderly men and women. The purpose of this study was to determine SI and the gender-specific factors associated with low SI in a Korean elderly cohort.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study identifying the gender-specific factors related to SI in 252 men and women aged 65 years and greater from local senior centers in Seoul, Korea between January and February 2009.

RESULTS

The mean SI of elderly men was significantly higher than that of the women's. A multiple regression analysis reveals that age, nutritional status, and physical activity were predictive factors of lower SI in men, whereas age, alcohol consumption, educational level, and genetic polymorphism were predictive factors for elderly women.

CONCLUSIONS

Low SI was common in both elderly men and women. We found gender differences in factors linked to low SI. In multiple regression analysis, nutritional status and physical activity were more important factors in men, whereas alcohol consumption, educational level, and genetic polymorphism were significant factors predicting low SI in women. Gender-specific modifiable risk factors associated with low SI should be considered when developing osteoporosis prevention programs for the elderly.

Y, Rakesh N, Reddy SS, Santana N, Shetty N. Relationship between femur bone mineral density, body mass index and dental panoramic mandibular cortical width in diagnosis of elderly postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

OBJECTIVES

To measure and determine mandibular cortical width (MCW) on the panoramic radiographs, to evaluate the usefulness of the method in identifying postmenopausal women with low femoral bone mineral densities (f- BMD) and to correlate the radiographic findings on panoramic radiographs with the f-BMD assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to predict the efficacy of the radiographic method in diagnosing osteoporosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty postmenopausal women (60 normal and 60 osteoporotic) in the age group of 50-75 y with f-BMD assessed by DXA had undergone panoramic radiographic examination. The patients were classified as normal (T-score ≥ -1.0) and osteoporotic (T-score ≤ -2.5). MCW on panoramic radiographs was measured bilaterally at the mental foramen region with a caliper and their mean was used as the exposure measure in the analysis.

RESULTS

Student t-test showed that mean f-BMD, BMI and MCW was found be less in osteoporotic patients as compared to normal group with a statistically significant p-value < 0.001. Pearson correlation coefficient test revealed that MCW correlated positively with f-BMD and showed a significant decrease with age of the patient.

CONCLUSION

Postmenopausal women with low f-BMD had thinner mandibular cortex at the mental foramen region when compared to normal subjects and are more susceptible to femoral neck fractures. Mandibular inferior cortical width at the mental foramen region could be used to identify postmenopausal women with low f- BMD. Hence, dental panoramic radiographs serve as a useful screening tool for early diagnosis of osteoporotic fractures.

Quantitative ultrasound measurements of the calcaneus and hand phalanges in elderly Spanish men: relationship with peripheral bone mineral density of the hand phalanges

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this pilot study were to describe quantitative ultrasound (US) measurements and peripheral bone mineral density (BMD) of the hand phalanges on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and to examine the correlations between them in elderly Spanish men.

METHODS

We studied 199 healthy men (mean age ± SD, 73.31 ± 5.10 years). The participants were not taking any medications, and they reported no diseases, including diseases that are associated with abnormalities in mineral metabolism. Phalangeal and calcaneal quantitative US measurements and phalangeal BMD measurements were performed in all participants.

RESULTS

A bivariate correlation analysis showed no association between quantitative US assessments at the phalanges or the calcaneus (P = .409). After adjustment for potential confounders, the correlation between phalangeal BMD and phalangeal quantitative US measurements was r = 0.417 (P < .0001), and the correlation for calcaneal quantitative US was r = 0.26 (P = .001). Further adjustment by percentage of body fat increased quantitative US correlations with phalangeal BMD: r = 0.450 (P < .0001) at the phalanges; r = 0.291 (P = .001) at the calcaneus.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a small correlation between quantitative US measurements at the calcaneus and phalangeal BMD that increases to a moderate level with quantitative US measurements at the phalanges in elderly Spanish men.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry versus quantitative ultrasonography in diagnosing osteoporosis in patients with refractory epilepsy and chronic antiepileptic drug use

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of calcaneal quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) as a screening method for increased risk of osteoporosis in a unique population of people with chronic epilepsy, intellectual disability (ID), and chronic use of antiepileptic drugs.

METHODS

A total of 205 patients from a long-stay care facility for people with epilepsy underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and QUS of the calcaneus. T-scores for both DXA and QUS were calculated and correlated.

RESULTS

A total of 195 patients (95.1%) were successfully measured with DXA and 204 (99.5%) with QUS. High correlations were found between DXA and QUS T-scores: r = 0.666 (QUS versus T-score total femur), r = 0.631 (QUS versus T-score femur neck) and r = 0.485 (QUS versus T-score lumbar spine). All correlations were statistically significant (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

QUS showed a strong correlation with DXA and proved to be a feasible measuring method in a population with ID and epilepsy. Including osteopenia in the screening process increases the sensitivity of QUS to identify those patients at risk for the development of bone diseases.

Cohort Profile: The Namwon Study and the Dong-gu Study

These two cohorts were designed to examine the increasing burden of chronic diseases among Korean populations. The studies investigated determinants for stroke, osteoporosis, dementia and cancer among middle-aged and elderly Korean populations. The Namwon Study baseline survey was performed between 2004 and 2007 (n = 10 667), and followed up 4 years later (n = 8157, follow-up rate = 76.5%). The baseline survey of the Dong-gu Study was administered over 2007-2010 (n = 9260), and will be followed up between 2014 and 2015. Questionnaires included assessment of cognitive function, psychiatric health and lifestyle factors. Clinical examinations, biochemical tests and genotyping focused on evaluating the determinants of target diseases and their intermediate phenotypes. Potential collaborators will be invited to contact the chief investigators.

Heel bone mass of a young South Indian population with a Nigerian population residing in a South Indian suburban neighborhood: a comparative study

This cross-sectional cohort emphasized the impact of heel bone mass in the South Indian population and its comparison with Nigerian ethnicity, residing in South India. Peak bone mass, however, evidenced a significant decrease of around 30% compared to that of Nigerian ethnicity.

INTRODUCTION

In the South Indian population, the local folks do not seem to be well informed about the relative association of bone mass with osteoporosis. Hence, there is an acute necessity to assess the same with respect to the ethnic population, presumed to have possessed high bone mass, i.e., the Nigerian population.

METHODS

The calcaneus of the right foot was measured with a quantitative ultrasound device (Sahara, Hologic Inc., USA) for a total population of 734, out of which 314 were Indian males, 348 Indian females, 41 Nigerian males, and 30 Nigerian females, whose ages ranged from 18 to 35 years.

RESULTS

The peak bone mass in Indian males and females is 0.507 ± 0.1 and 0.479 ± 0.1 g cm(-2), respectively, and it is 0.714 ± 0.2 and 0.682 ± 0.2 g cm(-2) with regard to Nigerian male and female populations, respectively. Indian males and females who were within the age group of 26-30 and ≤ 20 years, respectively, represented high bone mass, and the same was the situation with respect to Nigerian counterparts who were within the age group of 21-25 years. Indian and Nigerian non-vegetarian population of both the genders demonstrated a high significance value of p < 0.000001, deciphered by means of unpaired t test.

CONCLUSION

Peak bone strength was dominant in the Nigerian population compared to that of Indians. The Indian population is approximately lagging by 28-30% with respect to peak bone mass behind their Nigerian equivalents. Indian non-vegetarian male and female populations lagged by 6.15% and 6.16% behind the Indian vegetarian male and female populations, respectively.

Quantitative ultrasound normative reference data for community-dwelling white and black females in the United States

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) race-specific normative reference data are not available for accurate calculation of Z-scores. The primary aims of this study were (1) to develop a race-specific QUS reference database for white and black females and to compare estimated fracture risk between these 2 racial groups and (2) to compare stiffness index (SI) values of white females in this study to manufacturer-obtained values. Subjects included 1111 females (31% black), aged 20-85 yr (52 ± 19 yr), with a mean SI score of 93.7 ± 20.1. White females, aged 20-39 yr (n=213), were used to calculate T-scores, whereas Z-scores were age and race specific. Black females had significantly higher SI scores than white females (p<0.001). White females aged 50+ yr in this study had significantly higher SI scores compared with manufacturer-derived values. Results highlight the need for population- and race-specific normative data when using QUS as a screening tool for identifying high fracture risk.

Age curves of bone mineral density at the distal radius and calcaneus in Koreans

This study evaluated age-related changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and identified the peak bone mineral density (PBMD) in Koreans. We recruited 2929 subjects, ranging in age from 5 to 86 years, from three regions: Seoul, Siwha, and Gwangyang. The BMD at the distal radius and calcaneus were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and anthropometric measures were also obtained. PBMD was calculated from the highest mean in each age group. The PBMD at the distal radius was 0.514 +/- 0.06 g/cm(2) in females and 0.598 +/- 0.07 g/cm(2) in males. Peak ages for both sexes were the thirties. For the calcaneus, PBMD was 0.509 +/- 0.09 g/cm(2) in females and 0.629 +/- 0.09 g/cm(2) in males. Peak ages were the thirties for females and the twenties for males. These results could facilitate international or interracial comparisons and be used as reference data to screen for osteoporosis in Koreans.

Quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus in greek women: normative data are different from the manufacturer's normal range

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is considered a useful method in evaluating bone status. The aim of the present study was to establish the reference data for the QUS measurements of the calcaneus in a Greek population. We measured a QUS parameter, stiffness index (SI), at the right calcaneus in 1500 women using the Achilles express Ultrasonometer (GE Lunar, Madison, WI). Participants were divided into 7 groups according to their age with a 10-yr span in each group. A progressive decline was found in the SI values after the age of 39 yr in the current study. When the SI values were compared between the age groups, high statistically significant differences were obvious, especially between 20-29 and 50- to 59-yr age groups and 60-69 and 70- to 79-yr age groups (p < 0.0005). Additionally, in the Greek normal range (GNR), the SI values of those aged 60-69 and 70-79 yr were significantly higher (81.84+/-16.14 and 77.45+/-17.65, respectively) than those in the manufacturer's normal range (MNR; 75.84+/-16.14 and 69.10+/-17.65, p < 0.005, respectively). Using the manufacturer's values, significantly fewer women were classified as normal (48% vs 67.3%), although those with T-score < or =-2.5 were more (15.7%) compared with our Greek value (1.5%), and classification of subjects into risk-of-fracture categories was significantly different (kappa: 0.459, 66.2%, p < 0.0005). Multiple regression analysis showed that weight was the most significant predictor for SI in the age groups 30-39 (beta = 0.280, p < 0.05), 40-49, 60-69, and 70-79 yr (beta = 0.185, p < 0.005; beta = 0.329, p < 0.0005; beta = 0.494, p<0.0005, respectively). Using conventional categories of risk, we report a different classification of our subjects from those proposed by the manufacturer, supporting the concept that data specific to the Greek population are necessary.

Prevalence of osteoporosis and reference data for lumbar spine and hip bone mineral density in a Korean population

The aims of this study were to establish reference data for bone mineral density (BMD) at central skeletal sites using Lunar dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to estimate the age-and sex-specific prevalence of osteoporosis in a Korean population. We performed a population-based, cross-sectional study. The subjects were 4148 (1810 men and 2338 women) Korean adults, aged 20-79 years. The BMD for central sites (lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle) were measured by DXA. The standardized prevalence of osteoporosis among individual aged 50-79 years in lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and trochanter was 40.1%, 12.4%, 28.4%, and 4.4% in women and 6.5%, 5.9%, 3.7%, and 1.6% in men, respectively. In women, peak BMD occurred in the age range 40-49 years for the femoral neck and trochanter, 30-39 years for the lumbar spine, and 20-29 years for Ward's triangle. In men, peak BMD values were observed at 20-29 years for all measured sites. This study establishes a normative database for BMD at central skeletal sites using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and provides more reliable information on the prevalence of osteoporosis in Korea.