Quantitative ultrasound at the hand phalanges in adolescent boys in relation to their pubertal development and physical efficiency

Introduction: Our aim was to assess the ultrasound properties of bone measured at hand phalanges in 55 adolescent boys aged 13-15 years regarding the influence of pubertal status and level of physical efficiency including muscular strength. Material and methods: They were divided into two age groups: Group I (n = 37, boys aged 159-171 months) and Group II (n = 18, aged 172-184 months). The controls were 94 boys matched for age, recruited from 1,256 subjects undergoing bone measurement for screening purposes. The skeletal status (amplitude-dependent speed of sound - Ad-SoS) was assessed by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) at proximal phalanges with the use of DBM Sonic 1200. Physical efficiency was assessed using Zuchora's test, and pubertal development by Tanner's score. Results: There was no difference in mean Ad-SoS between the entire study group and controls. Ad-SoS values were greater in older than in younger boys, both in right and left hands. There were no differences between left and right hand measurements. There were positive correlations between Ad-SoS and shoulder muscle strength in boys. Negative correlations between Ad-SoS at phalanges of right and left hand and BMI were shown in younger adolescent boys only. Similarly, only in the younger group were positive correlations present between both hands Ad-SoS and overall physical efficiency and age. Ad-SoS correlated positively better with Tanner's scale scoring in the older group. Conclusions: QUS at hand phalanges in adolescent boys aged 13-15 years depends on pubertal development and shoulder muscle strength. The overall physical efficiency has limited influence on bone properties assessed by QUS.