RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is the most frequent metabolic disease of bones. Early detection of pathological loss of bone mineral density represents the first step in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of osteoporosis. This study was aimed at establishing the correlation of T-score values obtained by ultrasound osteodensitometry of calcaneus with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on the sample of 569 female patients from September 13,2010 to March 10, 2011. Measurement was made with ultrasound osteodensitometry of ACHILLES make. Quantitative ultrasound method revealed that 77 female patients had a lower value of T-score (osteopenia with risk factors or osteoporosis) and they were referred to T-score measurement with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning was performed using LUNAR DPX scanner and 49 female patients were examined. RESULTS: It was concluded that there was no statistically significant difference between T-score values obtained by quantitative ultrasound and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning. CONCLUSION: According to this study, it is necessary to provide a greater number of scanners for ultrasound osteodensitometry of calcaneus in order to secure prevention and to refer the patients to further diagnosing on time.