Role of DEXA and ultrasonometry in the evaluation of osteoporotic risk in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the role of quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in the assessment of osteoporosis.


METHODS
From June 1999 to November 2001, 596 women who have not been diagnosed osteoporosis and without previous history of pathologic fractures were enrolled in this study. They had a mean age of 58.7+/-8.5 years, a mean height of 166+/-3.5 cm and a mean weight of 66+/-4.1 kg. According to the age, women were divided into three groups: group A included women between 45 and 55 years; group B women between 56 and 66 years and group C women between 67 and 77 years. Each patient underwent to both methods to determine the presence of osteoporosis.


RESULTS
QUS resulted in a greater number of women of group A at risk of osteoporosis, whereas DEXA indicated that more women of group C were at increased osteoporotic risk. QUS and DEXA gave concordant results only in women of group B.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that QUS screening for osteoporosis may be more suitable for 'younger' postmenopausal women.
Pafumi
Carlo
C
Section of Endocrinology, Andrology and Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiological and Gynecological Sciences, University of Catania, Via G. D'Annunzio 125, 95127, Catania, Italy. pafumi@unict.it
Chiarenza
Michele
M
Zizza
Gaetano
G
Roccasalva
Lucia
L
Ciotta
Lilliana
L
Farina
Marco
M
Pernicone
Giovanni
G
Russo
Agata
A
Maggi
Ilaria
I
Bandiera
Sebastiano
S
Giardina
Paolo
P
Cavallaro
A
A
Cianci
Antonio
A
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography