A population-based study examining calcaneus quantitative ultrasound and its optimal cut-points to discriminate osteoporotic fractures among 9352 Chinese women and men

Abstract

Context: No generally accepted thresholds for quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters to screen individuals at high risk of osteoporotic fractures have been defined. Objective: We sought to define appropriate cutoff points for osteoporotic fractures of calcaneus ultrasound according to participants' prevalent osteoporotic fractures. Design and Setting: This was a cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in Shanghai, China. Participants: A total of 9352 Chinese women and men aged 40 and older were studied. Main Outcome Measures: We measured calcaneus QUS(Achilles Express, GE Lunar) values and their relationships with osteoporotic fractures. Results: A prevalence of 14.9 and 12.2% of osteoporotic fractures was found in the women and men (P < 0.001), respectively. Subjects with osteoporotic fractures had significantly lower QUS values than those without (P < 0.001). One SD decline in the stiffness index (SI)-derived T-score was associated with a high risk of nonvertebral fracture [odds ratio (OR) = 1.50;95%confidence interval (CI), 1.39-1.62; P <0.001], clinical vertebral fracture (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.18-1.90; P < 0.01), and multi-fractures (OR =1.98;95%CI,1.63-2.40; P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that QUS could differentiate osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women and men, but not in premenopausal women. The optimal cutoff points for the SI-derived T-score to detect a high risk of nonvertebral fractures, clinical vertebral fractures, and multi-fractures were -1.25, -1.55, and -1.80 in postmenopausal women, respectively, and -1.30, -1.90, and -2.00 in males, respectively. Conclusions: As a screening tool, the SI-derived T-score obtained from the Achilles QUS device for a postmenopausal woman or man that is less than -1.25 and -1.30, respectively, may indicate an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and should be further evaluated by central DXA. Copyright © 2012 by The Endocrine Society.