Evaluation of bone mineral density by quantitative ultrasound of bone in 16,862 subjects during routine health examination

Caucasians and Asians are among those with the highest risk for involutiona l osteoporosis. To obtain accurate data about the prevalence of osteoporosi s or osteopenia in different age groups, a large epidemiological study is n ecessary. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of bone is a promising technique in assessing bone micro architecture in addition to bone mass. This study had two aims. The first was to establish bone mineral density (BMD) using QUS in subjects with no obvious disease undergoing routine health examination. The second was to determine risk factors for osteoporosis in Taiwan in orde r that better prevention and treatment measures may be provided for these p atients. A prospective study of the risk factors for fracture was conducted in the health examination division of Chang Gung Medical Center in Linkou, Taiwan, from January 1996 to December 1997. Broadband ultrasound attenuati on of the right heel was measured with an achilles bone densitometer (Lunar , Nauheim, Germany). A total of 16 862 subjects were examined, including 93 14 women (mean age 51.5 (+/-) 11.7 years) and 7 548 men (mean acre 51.1 +/- 12.1 years). The incidence of osteoporosis in all subjects increased from 1.13% in the 21-30-year-old age group to 54.55% in those over 80 years of a ge. 12.02% of the subjects had osteoporosis and 34.45% had osteopenia. From multivariate analysis, bone density evaluated by QUS showed a relationship with age, gender, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, smoking and frequency of exercise. In conclusion, BMD evaluated by QUS is not found to be higher in Taiwan than elsewhere. The role of QUS in predicting fractures in Taiwan requires further investigation.