Reference curve of bone ultrasound measurements in proximal phalanges in normal Spanish women.
There are clear discrepancies in how the different measurements of phalangeal bone ultrasound, such as the amplitude-dependent speed of bone ultrasound (Ad-SoS), correlate with age, given their dependence on gonadal status and other anthropometric variables. In order to contribute to clarifying these discrepancies, we evaluated the phalangeal Ad-SoS in healthy women-295 postmenopausal, 59 perimenopausal, and 270 premenopausal. Phalanges (II-V) of the nondominant hand were measured and the mean Ad-SoS was computed. There were significant differences between groups (p < 0.0001 in all cases), with the perimenopausal group presenting the intermediate values. For the overall group of women, the Ad-SoS was significantly and negatively correlated with age, weight, and body mass index (BMI), and positively correlated with height (p < 0.0001 in all cases). By gonadal status group, the premenopausal women showed the three significant negative correlations of Ad-SoS with age, weight, and BMI (each, p < 0.0001), the perimenopausal group only with BMI (p < 0.007), and the postmenopausal group with age and BMI (p < 0.0061 to p < 0.0001) and also with years since menopause (p < 0.0001). The premenopausal decline in AD-SoS requires further longitudinal studies, although in our experience it may depend on dietary habits and/or a diminished quality, though not quantity, of bone in this period of a woman's fertile life.
Pedrera Zamorano
Juan Diego
JD
Department of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. jpedrera@unex.es
Canal Macías
María Luz
ML
Lavado García
Jesús María
JM
Costa Fernández
Carmen
C
Borrella Domínguez
Soledad
S
Rico Lenza
Horacio
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D002979:Climacteric; D003720:Densitometry; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D012016:Reference Values; D013030:Spain; D014463:Ultrasonography