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Ultrasound attenuation of the calcaneus in the female population: Normative data

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Summary

Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) on the os calcis has been proposed as a safe and reliable technique for evaluating skeleted status. The present study provides preliminary normative BUA results on 93 female subjects divided into five age groups. These data can be used as a guide for comparing the results of individual studies. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was determined from lateral calcaneus and spine radiographs. Postmenopausal osteoporotic female subjects had significantly lower BUA values than normal women (P <0.001). There was a significant negative linear relationship between BUA and age in the postmenopausal subjects. No correlation was found between body size pararneters (weight, height, and body mass index) and ultrasound attenuation. These results indicate that BUA may be a useful technique for detection of persons at risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Physics, University of Crete, Medical School, Stavrakia, Iraklion, Crete, Greece

    John E. Damilakis

  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Crete, Medical School, Stavrakia, Iraklion, Crete, Greece

    Emmanuel Dretakis

  3. Department of Radiology, University of Crete, Medical School, Stavrakia, Iraklion, Crete, Greece

    Nicholas C. Gourtsoyiannis

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  1. John E. Damilakis
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  2. Emmanuel Dretakis
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  3. Nicholas C. Gourtsoyiannis
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Damilakis, J.E., Dretakis, E. & Gourtsoyiannis, N.C. Ultrasound attenuation of the calcaneus in the female population: Normative data. Calcif Tissue Int 51, 180–183 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334544

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334544

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