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Impact of Weight in Obese Subjects on Bone Speed of Sound

1999; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 34; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00004424-199909000-00008

1536-0210

H. Rico, Margarita Martı́nez–Gómez, Fernando Aguado, L. F. Villa, EMMA R. HERNÁNDEZ, J. Cortés,

Ultrasound Imaging and Elastography

Rico H, Gómez M, Aguado F, Villa LF, Hernández ER, Cortés J. Impact of weight in obese subjects on bone speed of sound. Invest Radiol 1999;34:596–599. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The authors determined the effect of obesity on measurements of amplitude-dependent speed of bone ultrasound (Ad-SOS [m/sec]) and compared them to the total body bone mineral content (TBBMC/g). METHODS. A total of 25 women were studied (mean age 41.8 ± 10.2 years). In all the subjects, body mass index (BMI) exceeded 30 kg/m2 (range, 31.12–47.47 kg/m2); mean body weight was 104 ± 17 kg. Ad-SOS was measured at the proximal phalanges and TBBMC in whole body with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS. Correlation study (Fisher's r to z) showed that Ad-SOS correlated negatively with weight (r = −0.85, P < 0.0001) and with TBBMC (r = −0.71, P < 0.0001). The correlation between TBBMC and weight was r = 0.76, P < 0.0001. Body fat percentage correlated partially with TBBMC (r = 0.40, P < 0.05) and negatively with Ad-SOS (r = −0.75, P < 0.0001). When the correlation test was adjusted for weight (partial correlation), the correlation between Ad-SOS and TBBMC was not significant (r = −0.21, P = NS), and the correlation between Ad-SOS and weight continued to be inversely significant (r = −0.67, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS. The results showed a clearly negative effect of weight on Ad-SOS measurements and indicated the limitations of this technique when employed in overweight and obese patients. Broad-band ultrasound attenuation and speed of sound, two commonly measured variables in bone ultrasound studies, may be differently affected by soft tissue.