Article

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of quantitative
ultrasound of the calcaneus in diagnosing osteoporosis in spinal cord injury
patients in a Brazilian Teaching Hospital. This is a diagnostic test
criterion standard comparison study. Between January 2008 and October 2009, the
bone density of 15 spinal cord injury patients was assessed for analysis before
beginning rehabilitation using muscle stimulation. The bone density was assessed
using bone densitometry examination (DEXA) and ultrasound examination of the
calcaneus (QUS). The measurements acquired using QUS and DEXA were compared
between patients with spinal cord injury and a control group of ten healthy
individuals. RESULTS: : The T-score values for femoral neck using DEXA (P <
0.0022) and those using QUS of the calcaneus (P < 0.0005) differed significantly
between the groups, and the means in the normal subjects were higher than those
in spinal cord injury patients who would receive electrical stimulation. In
spinal cord injury patients, the significant differences were found between the
QUS T-score for calcaneus and the DEXA scores for the lumbar spine and femoral
neck. CONCLUSIONS: : Because of the low level of mechanical stress on the
calcaneus, the results of the QUS could not be correlated with the DEXA results
for diagnosing osteoporosis. Therefore, QUS seems to be not a good choice for
diagnosis and follow-up.

Langue : ANGLAIS