Normative Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation and Speed of Sound Data and Correlation Between T-Scores of Quantitative Ultrasound and Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Among Females of Manipur

Background: Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease with a wide distribution among the elderly all over the world. Low bone mass as assessed by bone mineral density (BMD) is the major characteristic of osteoporosis. Ultrasound techniques have been proposed as diagnostic tools for assessing both skeletal mass and other qualitative characteristics of bone. Objective: The objective of this study was to generate a normative broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) data for Manipuri women and to determine the correlation between t-scores of QUS and DXA among females of 3 districts of Manipur. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2700 women with intact ovaries in the range of 21 to 70 years in three districts of Manipur namely Imphal West, Thoubal and Churachandpur districts. The bone mineral density of heel was measured by using Sahara clinical bone sonometer (Hologic INC, USA) measuring the speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA). BMD measurement was done using GE Lunar Prodigy DXA machine. Results: The study estimated normative data of Manipuri women for BUA as 37.6-112.9 dB/MHz and SOS as 1482.1-1616.5 m/s respectively and that there was a statistically significant correlation between t-scores of quantitative ultrasound and DXA scan among the three districts (r=0.455, p<0.000). Conclusion: T-scores of quantitative ultrasound significantly correlate with t-score of DXA scan in osteoporotic females in Manipur. Therefore, where the facility of DXA scan is not available, the bone mineral density measured by quantitative ultrasound can be used as a relatively inexpensive alternative.