Bone status in healthy Estonian women assessed with quantitative ultrasonometry

Abstract

We assessed age-related changes of bone status in healthy Estonian women in various age groups with quantitative ultrasonometry. The speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness index (SI) of the calcaneus were measured in 288 women. BUA and SI values peaked at 30-39 years of age while SOS peaked at 20-29 years and decreased thereafter. We detected no statistically significant changes between the age groups of 20-29, 30-39 and 40-49 years. The total age-related decrease was 18% for BUA, 3% for SOS and 29% for SI. We found a statistically significant correlation between bone status and calcium intake, as well as physical activity in the age group over 40 years.