Impact of Weight in Obese Subjects on Bone Speed of Sound

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Abstract
Rico H, Gómez M, Aguado F, Villa LF, Hernández ER, Cortés J. Impact of weight in obese subjects on bone speed of sound. Invest Radiol 1999;34:596–599. The authors determined the effect of obesity on measurements of amplitude-dependent speed of bone ultrasound (Ad-SOS [m/sec]) and compared them to the total body bone mineral content (TBBMC/g). A total of 25 women were studied (mean age 41.8 ± 10.2 years). In all the subjects, body mass index (BMI) exceeded 30 kg/m2 (range, 31.12–47.47 kg/m2); mean body weight was 104 ± 17 kg. Ad-SOS was measured at the proximal phalanges and TBBMC in whole body with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Correlation study (Fisher’s r to z) showed that Ad-SOS correlated negatively with weight (r = −0.85, P P The results showed a clearly negative effect of weight on Ad-SOS measurements and indicated the limitations of this technique when employed in overweight and obese patients. Broad-band ultrasound attenuation and speed of sound, two commonly measured variables in bone ultrasound studies, may be differently affected by soft tissue.