Calcaneal ultrasound measurements are determined by age and physical activity. Studies in two Swedish random population samples.
OBJECTIVE
To present reference values and correlations with body composition, blood variables and lifestyle factors.


METHODS
Two random population samples from Göteborg, Sweden, one comprising 184 men and 455 women aged 25-64 years (MONICA) and the other 860 women aged 55-82 years (BEDA) were studied.


METHODS
Calcaneal ultrasound measurement (LUNAR Achilles) and bioimpedance were measured. Smoking habits, coffee consumption, physical activity, psychological stress, education and marital status, as well as blood lipids, blood pressure, and fractures were studied.


RESULTS
Broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness were higher in men than in women (P < 0. 001), but speed of sound did not differ between sexes. Speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness decreased with age (P < 0.001). In both sexes speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness correlated positively to body size variables, and negatively with smoking in women after adjustment for age. Speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness were positively related to physical activity in both sexes, and these relationships were the only ones that remained in multivariate analyses in addition to age (negative). Osteoporotic fractures increased with age. Speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness were lower amongst women with osteoporotic fractures.


CONCLUSIONS
Speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness decreased with age and increased with physical activity, but body weight and height were not correlated in multivariate analyses. Osteoporotic fractures increased with age and were associated with lower calcaneal ultrasound values.
Landin-Wilhelmsen
K
K
Research Centre for Endocrinology, Section of Preventive Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. kerstin.landin@sahlgrenska.se
Johansson
S
S
Rosengren
A
A
Dotevall
A
A
Lappas
G
G
Bengtsson
B A
BA
Wilhelmsen
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden; D014463:Ultrasonography