title: Quantitative ultrasound measurements of the calcaneus and hand phalanges in elderly Spanish men: relationship with peripheral bone mineral density of the hand phalanges.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors: Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
authors: Jesus M
authors: JM
authors: Lavado-Garcia
authors: Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
authors: Jose M
authors: JM
authors: Moran
authors: Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
authors: Raul
authors: R
authors: Roncero-Martin
authors: Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
authors: Julian F
authors: JF
authors: Calderon-Garcia
authors: Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Pedrera-Canal
authors: Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
authors: Trinidad
authors: T
authors: Rodriguez-Dominguez
authors: Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
authors: Pilar
authors: P
authors: Fernandez-Fernandez
authors: Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain. jpedrera@unex.es.
authors: Juan D
authors: JD
authors: Pedrera-Zamorano
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005385:Fingers / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013030:Spain; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: men; phalangeal bone mineral density; quantitative bone ultrasound; radiology