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Relationships between QUS and HR-pQCT, DXA, and bone turnover markers

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Abstract

Introduction

Relationship of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) with high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and bone-related biochemical markers was analyzed.

Materials and methods

The subjects were 480 individuals. Speed of sound (SOS) was measured by calcaneal QUS. Volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and microarchitecture of trabecular and cortical bone in the distal radius and tibia were assessed by HR-pQCT. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in the lumbar spine and proximal femur were measured by DXA. TRACP-5b, P1NP, 25 (OH) vitamin D, and pentosidine were evaluated by biochemical tests. The correlation of each parameter was analyzed for all subjects and by sex and age group.

Results

QUS was moderately correlated with Tb.vBMD and Tb.BV/TV in the radius and tibia. No correlation was seen with Ct.vBMD or cortical porosity (Ct.Po). Although a correlation was seen with cortical thickness (Ct.Th) in the tibia in all subjects, no correlation was seen in women aged ≥ 60 years.

QUS showed moderate correlations with aBMD in the proximal femur. Although moderate correlation was seen with aBMD in the lumbar spine in all subjects, no correlation was seen in subjects aged ≥ 60 years. No significant correlations were seen between QUS and biochemical markers.

Conclusions

Moderate correlations were seen between QUS and Tb.vBMD and microarchitecture in the radius and tibia and aBMD of the proximal femur. On the other hand, practically no correlations were seen with Ct.vBMD or Ct.Po and the bone-related biochemical markers. Only in middle age, moderate correlations were seen with Ct.Th in the tibia and with aBMD of the lumbar spine.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mitsuru Doi, Choko Kondo, Kazuaki Yokota for collecting data, Rika Arai, Rena Komatsubara, Midori Motoi, Miki Sakimoto, Yukari Hayashida, Arisa Fujiwara, Noriko Yoshitake, Yoko Sato, Naoko Uchida, and Kayoko Ota for coordinating participants and managing data, and Mika Kono and Yasue Michikoshi for performing DXA analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8501, Japan

    Ryuji Niimi, Ko Chiba, Narihiro Okazaki, Akihiko Yonekura, Masato Tomita & Makoto Osaki

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  1. Ryuji Niimi
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  2. Ko Chiba
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  3. Narihiro Okazaki
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  4. Akihiko Yonekura
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Contributions

Study design: KC; data acquisition: RN and NO; data analysis: RN; statistical analysis: RN; data interpretation: RN, KC, and MO; drafting of the manuscript: RN and KC; revision of the manuscript content: AY, MT, and MO.

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Correspondence to Ko Chiba.

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Niimi, R., Chiba, K., Okazaki, N. et al. Relationships between QUS and HR-pQCT, DXA, and bone turnover markers. J Bone Miner Metab 40, 790–800 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-022-01346-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-022-01346-2

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