(Ivanhoe Newswire) – A simple ultrasound test of the heel might be a
good way to predict which women are at highest risk for the bone thinning
disease osteoporosis. It could also help determine which women don’t have to
worry about developing the condition.
Swiss researchers tested the method, known as heel-bone quantitative
ultrasound (QUS), in about 6,000 women between the ages of 70 and 85 with no
formal diagnosis of osteoporosis. Results of the ultrasound were then
combined with typical risk factors for osteoporosis such as age, history of
fractures or a recent fall. Women were then classified at a higher or lower
risk for the disease. About three-fourths of the women fell into the higher
risk category.
The women were followed for up to 32 months. While about six percent of
women in the higher risk group experienced a fracture during follow up,
fractures were seen in just under two percent of those in the lower risk
group. Among women who developed hip fractures, 90 percent were in the
higher risk group.
The authors believe the test could be a good way to identify women who could
benefit from more complex screening – as well as a good way to tell which
women can avoid the additional test.
“Heel QUS in conjunction with clinical risk factors can be used to identify
a population at a very low fracture probability in which no further
diagnostic evaluation may be necessary,” study author Idris Guessous, M.D.,
was quoted as saying.
SOURCE: Radiology, published online June 24, 2008
