Is there a relationship between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements and mortality in older women?

In one paragraph

Heel Ultrasound Bone Scanner, studied in 5816 women (Osteoporos Int 2002, PMID 12181617) — low QUS was linked to increased mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other causes, though the association with cancer deaths was not statistically significant after adjustments.

Source: Osteoporos Int 2002, PMID 12181617 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: low

Osteoporos Int · 2002 · PMID 12181617 · DOI 10.1007/s001980200081

Plain-English summary written and published by Magellan Longevity · medical review by Gabriel Radu, DO (physiatrist, NPI 1376861765). We summarize what the paper reported — we did not run this study.

The takeaway

Lower quantitative ultrasound (QUS) readings are linked to a higher risk of death in older women, independent of other health factors.

The question

Is there a relationship between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements and mortality in older women?

What they tested

The study aims to investigate the relationship between QUS and mortality, building on previous findings that low bone mineral density (BMD) is associated with increased mortality.

How they did it

The study included 5816 women over age 70 from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Baseline measurements included QUS of the calcaneus and BMD of the calcaneus and hip. Vital status was monitored every 4 months over 5.0 years, with deaths confirmed by death certificates or hospital records and classified by ICD-9 code. Statistical adjustments were made for various factors including age, health status, and lifestyle.

What they found

During 5.0 years of follow-up, 677 women died. Women in the lowest quintile of QUS had the highest mortality. After adjustments, each 1 SD reduction in broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) was associated with a 16% increase in mortality. Low QUS was linked to increased mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other causes, though the association with cancer deaths was not statistically significant after adjustments. Low BMD also showed an increased risk of total and cause-specific mortality, but BUA and BMD were not found to be independent predictors of mortality.

What it means

In older women, low quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is associated with both total and cause-specific mortality, independent of other mortality-related factors. This suggests QUS and BMD may reflect aspects of aging not captured by traditional factors.

Limitations

The study found little evidence that BUA and BMD were independent predictors of mortality, suggesting potential overlap in what these measures reflect.

“Each 1 SD reduction in broadband ultrasonic attenuation was associated with a 16% increase in mortality”— from the published abstract, Osteoporos Int 2002

The paper at a glance

Title	Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study
Journal	Osteoporos Int
Year	2002
PMID	12181617 ↗
DOI	10.1007/s001980200081 ↗
Topic	General aging biology & healthspan

Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗

Where Magellan uses this paper

This citation sits behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are set from the research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

Heel Ultrasound Bone Scanner

Predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Research relevant to this mechanism is indexed on PubMed and linked below; it describes the mechanism rather than this specific product.

Molecules & mechanisms in this paper

Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.

Bone mineral density

Cite this page

These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.

APA

Magellan Longevity. (2026). Is there a relationship between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements and mortality in older women? [Plain-English summary of Osteoporos Int 2002, PMID 12181617, DOI 10.1007/s001980200081]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.html

BibTeX

@misc{magellan_d12181617,
  title        = {Is there a relationship between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements and mortality in older women?},
  author       = {{Magellan Longevity}},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.html}},
  note         = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 12181617; DOI 10.1007/s001980200081; Osteoporos Int 2002. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
  urldate      = {2026-08-11}
}

Permalink

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How this summary was made. Every section above restates what the published abstract of PMID 12181617 reports — the question, the design, the numbers, the authors’ own conclusion and their stated limitations. We do not add claims the paper did not make, and we keep negative and no-effect findings in. Magellan’s evidence grades are set from research like this and never from affiliate commissions.

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