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Calcaneal ultrasound reference ranges for Australian men and women: the Geelong Osteoporosis Study

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Abstract

Summary

Heel ultrasound is a more portable modality for assessing fracture risk than dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and does not use ionising radiation. Fracture risk assessment requires appropriate reference data to enable comparisons. This study reports the first heel ultrasound reference ranges for the Australian population.

Introduction

This study aimed to develop calcaneal (heel) ultrasound reference ranges for the Australian adult population using a population-based random sample.

Methods

Men and women aged ≥20 years were randomly selected from the Barwon Statistical Division in 2001–2006 and 1993–1997, respectively, using the electoral roll. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS) and stiffness index (SI) were measured at the heel using a Lunar Achilles Ultrasonometer. Gender-specific means and standard deviations for BUA, SOS and SI were calculated for the entire sample (men 20–93 years, n = 1,104; women 20–92 years, n = 914) and for participants aged 20–29 years (men, n = 157; women, n = 151). Associations between ultrasound measures and age were examined using linear regression.

Results

For men, mean ± standard deviation BUA, SOS and SI were 118.7 ± 15.8 dB/MHz, 1,577.0 ± 43.7 m/s and 100.5 ± 20.7, respectively; values for women were consistently lower (111.0 ± 16.4 dB/MHz, P < 0.001; 1,571.0 ± 39.0 m/s, P = 0.001; and 93.7 ± 20.3, P < 0.001, respectively). BUA was higher in young men compared with young women (124.5 ± 14.4 vs 121.0 ± 15.1 dB/MHz), but SOS (1,590.1 ± 43.1 vs 1,592.5 ± 35.0 m/s) and SI (108.0 ± 19.9 vs 106.3 ± 17.7) were not. The relationships between age and each ultrasound measure were linear and negative across the age range in men; associations were also negative in women but non-linear.

Conclusion

These data provide reference standards to facilitate the assessment of fracture risk in an Australian population using heel ultrasound.

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Acknowledgements

The study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Perpetual Trustees and Geelong Region Medical Research Foundation. Dr. Sharon Brennan is the recipient of an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (1012472).

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NorthWest Academic Centre, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, Australia

    H. Gould, S. L. Brennan, M. A. Kotowicz, M. J. Henry & J. A. Pasco

  2. School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

    H. Gould, S. L. Brennan, M. A. Kotowicz & J. A. Pasco

  3. Rural Clinical School, The University of Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

    G. C. Nicholson

  4. Department of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

    M. A. Kotowicz & J. A. Pasco

  5. Barwon South Western Region Integrated Cancer Services, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

    M. J. Henry

  6. Barwon Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Kitchener House, P.O. Box 281, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia

    H. Gould

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  1. H. Gould
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  2. S. L. Brennan
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  3. G. C. Nicholson
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  4. M. A. Kotowicz
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  5. M. J. Henry
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  6. J. A. Pasco
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Correspondence to H. Gould.

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Gould, H., Brennan, S.L., Nicholson, G.C. et al. Calcaneal ultrasound reference ranges for Australian men and women: the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Osteoporos Int 24, 1369–1377 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-012-2082-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-012-2082-y

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