Abstract
Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) assessment of bone health status, as a reliable method, is rapidly gaining popularity. Speed of sound (SOS) is one parameter of skeletal status provided by QUS assessment. The objective of the present study was first to determine the normative distal radius SOS data on healthy Chinese mainland men and women and second to investigate the effects of sex, age, and body size on this parameter. A study cohort consisting of 19,980 healthy Chinese women and 8722 men aged 20–89 yr participated in this investigation. They answered a detailed questionnaire on their healthy condition, and their anthropometric measurements were taken. Their distal radius SOS values were evaluated using the Sunlight ultrasound systems. The distal radius SOS values exhibited a characteristic rise-then-fall pattern with increasing age in both sexes. The peak SOS value occurred at the age of 40–49 both in males and females. Age-related differences were both pronounced among males and females. Pearson correlation and regression analysis showed that age was a major determinant of SOS in both sexes. In females, SOS values had a much stronger correlation with age than male subjects. Body weight was also correlated with SOS but not as well as age. The SOS values of distal radius at present study may be used as normal reference data for Chinese mainland population and will be useful for comparing the results of individual studies and determining diagnostic criteria of osteoporosis by QUS.
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