[The influence of the height of body mass on ultrasound measurements of bones in healthy Polish women]. / Wplyw wzrostu i masy ciala na wartosci parametrów ultradzwiekowych kosci u zdrowych kobiet polskiej populacji.

Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) and stiffness index of the os calcis were measured in a sample of 407 normal sedentary women aged 40-60 years. Achieved results deliver reference data supporting measurement interpretation of physiologic as well pathologic conditions. Correlations were performed between ultrasound measurements and antropometric data. We observed that in women over 55 years there is a significant age related decline of BUA, SOS and stiffness. Significant correlations were also stated (p < 0.05) between body mass of woman aged 40-45, 46-50 i 51-55 and ultrasonic parameters of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) (r = 0.26, 0.46, 0.43 respectively), considered as related to internal trabecular bone structure. In group of eldest woman (aged 56-60) such a correlations were not present, probably as an effect of intensive bone loss related to lack of protective effect of estrogens.