Calcaneal Quantitative Ultrasound Compared With Hip and Femoral Neck Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in People With A Spinal Cord Injury

Objective To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements for identifying osteoporosis determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the hip in a spinal cord injury (SCI) population. Design Cross-sectional retrospective review of data collected in the bone health registry of persons with a disability. Setting Inpatients and outpatients at a single acute rehabilitation hospital. Participants A convenience sample of 66 participants, both inpatients and outpatients, with a spinal cord injury. Methods Calcaneal T scores were determined by ultrasound, and bone density of the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck were determined by DXA. Main Outcome Measurements Right and left calcaneal QUS T scores and right and left hip and femoral neck DXA T scores. Results Right and left hip DXA T scores were strongly associated with corresponding right and left calcaneal QUS T scores (right: r = .72, P r = .70, P Conclusions A strong association exists between calcaneal QUS T scores and bone density T scores at the hip measured by DXA. QUS may have a place in the screening of people with SCI 1 year or more after their injury to evaluate their bone status.