SONOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF SKIN THICKNESS IN PERIMENOPAUSAL WOMEN - CORRELATION WITH BONE DENSITOMETRY AND HORMONAL PARAMETERS

Aim: To evaluate the connection between alterations in skin-thickness and bone density in menopause. Method: In 231 perimenopausal women the skin thickness was measured with ultrasound and correlated with the results of bone densitometry and the hormonal parameters. Results: The correlation between skin thickness and bone densitometry showed a statistical significance of p < 0.0001. Thus we could demonstrate that not only the bone but also the skin is a hormone-dependent organ which responds enormously to a decrease of C19 and C18 steroids. Conclusion: Ultrasound skin measurement is a very simple method which can be used for a more differentiated diagnosis and therapy in menopausal women.