Comparison between quantitative ultrasound and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in osteoporosis diagnosis

Objective To assess the sensitivity of quantitative ultrasound(QUS) in measuring bone mass comparing with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA).Methods bone mineral density(BMD) at lumbar spine and proximal part of the femur was measured by DEXA and stiffness(STI) at calcaneus by QUS in 3266 subjects (2055 women,1211 men) of 20～89 years old in Nanjing.Results The peak value of STI and BMD was observed in the 20～29 age group in men,while in the 30～39 age group respectively in women.Parameters were decreased sharply in females after 50 years of age and after 70 year of age in male.There was no statistically significant difference between ultrasound and DEXA in osteoporsis detection rate.The correlation coefficients between STI and BMD were 0.21～0.26.Conclusions QUS is used mainly for detemining change in bone structure and DEXA in bone mass.It is better to use these two methods together to diagnose osteoporosis and predict the risk of fracture due to osteoporosis.