Predicting Osteoporosis

Photo: beccaxsos 2003

The July issue of Radiology Journal features a study showing that an ultrasound of the heel can help determine if you need to be tested for osteoporosis. The study looked at over 6,000 elderly women who, regardless of their actual disease state, had never been diagnosed with osteoporosis. The special type of ultrasound, called the heel-bone quantitative ultrasound (QUS), was able to measure bone strength by calculating something called the "heel stiffness index" (basically a measure of bone strength at the heel). Doctors combined the heel stiffness index with other risk factors for osteoporosis such as age, history of fractures and any recent falls, to accurately determine which of the study participants would benefit from an osteoporosis test. Based on the heel stiffness index/usual risk factors combination, the doctors were also able to accurately determine which study participants did not need further testing.

The ultrasound is a simple test, much easier on you than an MRI, for example. The QUS may make it easier for many more people to avoid debilitating osteoporosis in the future. Osteoporosis can lead to painful spinal fractures.

Even if you don't think you are at risk for osteoporosis, remember: the best medicine is prevention. Here is a list of resources to help you get a handle on the old standbys of diet and exercise:

• Osteoporosis
• BEST Ways to Increase Bone Density
• Spinal Fractures
• Kyphosis
• Vertebroplasty
• Burst Fracture
• What is a Kyphoplasty?
• Bone Mineral Density Medication
• SERMs - Bone Mineral Density Medication
• Will eating soy strengthen your bones?
• Bone Scan - short video

_{Source:
Press Release citing: "Osteoporotic Fracture Risk in Elderly Women: Estimation with Quantitative Heel US and Clinical Risk Factors." Collaborating with Dr. Guessous were Jacques Cornuz, M.D., M.P.H. (Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland), Christiane Ruffieux, Ph.D.(University Institute of Social and Preventative Medicine), Peter Burckhardt, M.D. (Bois-Cerf Clinic, Lausanne, Switzerland), and Marc-Antoine Krieg, M.D. (Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland).}