Agreement Between Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and Quantitative Ultrasound to Evaluate Bone Health in Adolescents: The PRO-BONE Study
in Pediatric Exercise ScienceClick name to view affiliation
Purpose: The present study aims to investigate the association between dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters and the intermethods agreement in active males. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, bone health (by DXA and calcaneal QUS), physical activity (by accelerometers), and anthropometrics measurements were assessed in 117 active adolescents (12–14 y old). Bivariate correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationships between DXA standard regions of interest and QUS parameters. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman plots were used to assess the level of agreement between bone mineral content regions derived from DXA and stiffness index. The measurements were z score transformed for comparison. Results: Most QUS parameters were positive and significantly correlated with DXA outcomes (stiffness index: r = .43–.52; broadband ultrasound attenuation: r = .50–.58; speed of sound: r = .25–.27) with the hip showing the highest correlations. Moreover, the present study found fair to good intraclass correlation coefficients of agreement (.60–.68) between DXA and QUS to assess bone health. The Bland–Altman analysis showed a limited percentage of outliers (3.2%–8.6%). Conclusion: QUS device could represent an acceptable alternative method to assess bone health in active adolescent males.
Torres-Costoso and Ferri-Morales are with the School of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain. Vlachopoulos, Ubago-Guisado, and Gracia-Marco are with the Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom. Ubago-Guisado is also with the IGOID Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain. Cavero-Redondo and Martínez-Vizcaino are with the Health and Social Research Center, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain. Martínez-Vizcaino is also with the Faculty of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of Chile, Talca, Chile. Gracia-Marco is also with the Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development Research Group, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; and PROFITH “PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity” Research Group, Dept. of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
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