Broadband ultrasonic attenuation in the os calcis and single photon absorptiometry in the distal forearm: a comparative study.

The measurement of broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) in the os calcis has been described recently but the method has not been compared with other non-invasive techniques for the assessment of bone mass. We have compared the measurement of BUA in the os calcis with single-photon absorptiometry of the distal forearm in 44 subjects. A highly significant positive correlation was found between these two measurements (r = 0.80, p less than 0.001). Day to day repeatability was assessed for both techniques, with coefficients of variation of 3.9% and 1.4%, respectively, being obtained. Broadband ultrasonic attenuation appears to be a potentially useful bone measurement in the appendicular skeleton.