According to a large population-based cohort study issued in 'QJM: An International Journal of Medicine', the quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is an independent predictor for osteoporosis in a dose-response manner.

Osteoporosis or porous bone is a global menace for the ageing society. But, the role of QUS in the prediction for osteoporosis in a dose-response manner has been underestimated. Hence, Yang KC at el. aimed to depict the dose-response of QUS  measurement in the forecast for osteoporosis by a community-based study.

In this prospective cohort study, the participants were recruited from 2000-2004. At baseline, demographic data and the heel QUS measurement were accumulated. Over time, the osteoporosis diagnosis was ascertained by the follow-up of this cohort. The propensity score was used by using proportional odds regression analysis to match the quintiles of QUS T-score. This was done to decrease the imbalance of baseline characteristics in the observational study.

All in all, 44957 subjects comprising of 17678 men (39.3%) and 27279 women (69.7%) were recruited for this study. Due to an increase in one unit of QUB T-score caused a 7% reduction in osteoporosis risk after the adjustments for propensity score. A higher quintile of QUS T-score yielded a lower risk of osteoporosis with a gradient relationship and from the second to most top quintile than the first quintile. During the follow-up, the cumulative incidence of osteoporosis was higher in the lower quintile.

The study authors suggested, "Due to the lower cost and portability of QUS measurement, the pre-screening for osteoporosis by QUS can be useful in the area with limited resources rendering it a feasible and alternative technique."