title: Calcaneal ultrasound parameters in men and women from central Croatia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to compare quantitative ultrasound parameters between women and men of various ages in a population from central Croatia and also to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis in women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1006 participants were recruited for this study (550 men, 456 women), aged 20 to 89 years. Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measurements were performed using a Sahara device (Hologic). Data were analyzed using the t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post hoc test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison of the ultrasound measures of the men exhibited significant differences across the age groups with the exception of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA). In the women, significant differences were found for BUA, speed of sound (SOS), and the quantitative ultrasound index (QUI). Gender comparison revealed significant differences between ultrasound parameters in the last three decade groups. Using a T-score threshold of -1.8, the prevalence of osteoporosis in women aged over 50 was 30.7% based on the quantitative ultrasound index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is the first report of quantitative ultrasound parameters in Croatian women. The results revealed lower QUI, BUA, and SOS in postmenopausal women than in men of the same age. The prevalence of osteoporosis in women over 50 years of age based on the quantitative ultrasound index was considerably higher than the previously reported prevalence of osteoporosis in men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. ikraljev@vip.hr
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kraljevic
authors.forename: Darko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kastelan
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kolcic
authors.forename: Iva
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kardum
authors.forename: Josipa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazalin-Protulipac
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korsic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014463:Ultrasonography