Prevalence of fracture risk estimated by quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus in a population of postmenopausal women

A strong aging tendency is currently being observed in the world population, leading to an increase n the prevalence of such diseases as osteoporosis and fractures. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fracture risk, estimated by quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus in a population of postmenopausal women residing in the Ilha de Paqueta neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We conducted anthropometric measurements and quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus using Sonost 2000 in 385 postmenopausal women. Some 59.22% of the sample showed a T-score <-1, while 16.88% had T-score < -2.5. The test parameters varied with increasing age, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between fracture risk groups according to age, time since menopause, weight, BMI, and body fat. There was a correlation between sound velocity and BMI (r = 0.155; p = 0.002). We concluded that some 60% of the female study population showed some degree of fracture risk. The women at highest risk (T-score < -2.5) were older, with more time since menopause, and had higher weight and BMI as compared to the other groups.