MALE AND FEMALE NORMATIVE DATA FOR ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENT OF THE CALCANEUS WITHIN THE UK ADULT-POPULATION

The establishment of accurate normative data for specific populations is required before ultrasound bone densitometry may be considered for routine clinical application, A single general practice was utilized: representing bath rural and urban populations, to recruit 169 male and 210 female subjects in the age range 20-80 years. Measurements of bro adband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and velocity (VOS) of the left cal caneus were undertaken using the McCue CUBAClinical II system. Two des criptive statistical models were used, mean and 95th percentile, and r egression analysis, The female data for both BUA and VOS illustrated p eak values in the 30-39 years age group, falling steadily thereafter. For male SUA and VOS data there was less evidence of an age related de pendence. Upon analysis of previous normative studies and current data it is evident that there is considerable variability. In addition to different commercial systems being utilized, there is a lack of consis tency in study design and method of subject recruitment. The need for accurate calibration and cross-calibration methods for commercial ultr asound bone densitometers is therefore of paramount importance to enab le clinical interpretation of ultrasound measurements to be performed.