Spine and femur density and broadband ultrasound attenuation of the calcaneus in normal Spanish women.

Bone density of the spine and femoral neck and broadband ultrasound attenuation of the calcaneus were measured in 111 normal Spanish women between the ages of 30 and 70 years. The cross-sectional study showed that spine and hip density decreased by 36 and 29%, respectively, and the ultrasound attenuation value decreased by 32% between 30 and 70 years of age. The rate of bone loss at the three sites was significant in women over age 50 and in postmenopausal women. These normative data will be helpful in assessing bone mass in Spanish women suspected of having osteoporosis.