SCREENING CALCANEAL ULTRASOUND AND RISK-FACTORS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS AMONG LESBIANS AND HETEROSEXUAL WOMEN

We compared calcaneal ultrasound measurements (speed of sound [SOS], b roadband ultrasound attenuation [BUA], and stiffness index [SI]) of le sbian and heterosexual women to examine the medical and lifestyle risk factors for osteoporosis in each group. This was an exploratory, comm unity-based, cross-sectional study. Subjects were mailed food frequenc y, health, and physical activity questionnaires. Weight, height, and c alcaneal ultrasound measurements were taken at one office visit. In co mmunities in southern and eastern Maine, 71 lesbians and 77 heterosexu al women between the ages of 30 and 50 with regular menses and in good general health were the subjects. Statistical analysis used t-tests a nd chi-square tests to evaluate differences between study groups. Line ar regression models were used to evaluate risk factors for low calcan eal ultrasound measurements. There were no differences between the les bian and heterosexual women in age, body mass index (BMI), exercise, c alcium intake, alcohol use, or calcaneal ultrasound measurements. Ther e was a positive association between BUA and both BMI and alcohol cons umption (p < 0.01). Antidepressant use significantly reduced SOS and S I (p < 0.05). There were no differences in calcaneal ultrasound measur ements between lesbian and heterosexual women. BMI was strongly and po sitively associated with BUA. Antidepressant use in both populations w as associated with a significant reduction in calcaneal bone mass. Stu dies are needed to define the relationship of depression and its treat ment to bone mineral density and the future risk of osteoporosis.