Giuseppe Guglielmi MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Maurizio Rossini, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mario Guido Nicolosi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Alessandro Ragno MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Giovanni Lentini, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francesca De Terlizzi PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Calculation of fracture risk in a prospective study on Italian postmenopausal women by Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) at the phalanges.

2211 postmenopausal women were recruited in 5 centres in Italy (Torino, Verona, Roma, S. Giovanni Rotondo, Palermo) during 2006 and 2007 for phalangeal QUS measurement during periodic osteoporosis surveillance. Two Ultrasound parameters were collected: Amplitude Dependent Speed of Sound (AD-SoS) and Ultrasound Bone Profile Index (UBPI). Women were then re-contacted in 2010 and were asked about fracture occurrence during the period since last QUS measurement in 2006-2007. Data about new fracture occurred in this period, site and cause of fracture were requested.

Mean age of the recruited women was 60±10 yrs, mean age at menopause was 49±4 yrs, mean BMI was 26.7±7.3 Kg/m2. A total number of 108 new major osteoporotic fractures (hip, clinical vertebral, wrist, arm) occurred during the 3 years surveillance period, of which 23 are hip fractures, 51 are vertebral fractures. Relative risk for major fractures was 1.77 (C.I. 1.59-1.97) for AD-SoS and 2.06 (C.I. 1.78-2.37) for UBPI. When corrected for age, BMI, age at menopause the relative risks are still significant and equal to 1.44 (C.I. 1.26-1.65) for AD-SoS and 1.67 (C.I. 1.39-2.00) for UBPI. Relative risk for vertebral fractures was 1.63 (C.I. 1.41-1.88) for AD-SoS and 1.73 (C.I. 1.44-2.08) for UBPI. Relative risk for hip fractures was 1.92 (C.I. 1.55-2.37) for AD-SoS and 2.68 (C.I. 1.86-3.86) for UBPI.

Ultrasound parameters AD-SoS and UBPI are able to significantly predict future major fractures in a prospective cohort of more than 2000 postmenopausal Italian women. 

In this prospective study it has been demonstrated that AD-SoS and UBPI are significant independent predictive factors for osteoporotic fractures.

Guglielmi, G, Rossini, M, Nicolosi, M, Ragno, A, Lentini, G, De Terlizzi, F, Three-year Prospective Study on Fracture Risk in Italian Post-menopausal Women by Quantitative Ultrasound at the Phalanges.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11014795.html