Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is
an independent predictor for osteoporosis which can be used for
community based screening with lower cost, portability and convenience.
According to a large
population-based cohort study issued in 'QJM: An International Journal of
Medicine', the quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is an independent predictor for
osteoporosis in a dose-response manner.
Osteoporosis or porous bone is a
global menace for the ageing society. But, the role of QUS in the prediction
for osteoporosis in a dose-response manner has been underestimated. Hence, Yang
KC at el. aimed to depict the dose-response of QUS measurement in the forecast for osteoporosis
by a community-based study.
In this prospective cohort study,
the participants were recruited from 2000-2004. At baseline, demographic data
and the heel QUS measurement were accumulated. Over time, the osteoporosis
diagnosis was ascertained by the follow-up of this cohort. The propensity score
was used by using proportional odds regression analysis to match the quintiles
of QUS T-score. This was done to decrease the imbalance of baseline
characteristics in the observational study.
All in all, 44957 subjects
comprising of 17678 men (39.3%) and 27279 women (69.7%) were recruited for this
study. Due to an increase in one unit of QUB T-score caused a 7% reduction in
osteoporosis risk after the adjustments for propensity score. A higher quintile
of QUS T-score yielded a lower risk of osteoporosis with a gradient
relationship and from the second to most top quintile than the first quintile.
During the follow-up, the cumulative incidence of osteoporosis was higher in
the lower quintile.
The study authors suggested,
"Due to the lower cost and portability of QUS measurement, the
pre-screening for osteoporosis by QUS can be useful in the area with limited
resources rendering it a feasible and alternative technique."
QJM: An International Journal of Medicine
Bone mineral density as a dose-response predictor for osteoporosis: a propensity score analysis of longitudinal incident study (KCIS no. 39)
Yang KC at el.
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