[Evaluation of bone density of the calcaneum using ultrasound attenuation in menopausal women].

The results of bone density of the calcaneum measured with ultrasound in 107 menopaused women were compared with reference values provided by the manufacturer of the Walker Sonics machine and with the results of quantitative densitometry obtained with computed tomography of the calcaneum and lumbar vertebrae. The coefficient of correlation was 0.57 for the calcaneum and 0.45 for the vertebrae and was confirmed by the kappa index which was 0.58 and 0.54 respectively, indicating that bone density measurement with ultrasound attenuation is a simple non-invasive non-radiating technique which is a promising method for exploring osteoporosis in menopaused women.