--- title: "Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study" description: "Lower quantitative ultrasound (QUS) readings are linked to a higher risk of death in older women, independent of other health factors." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.html" type: "study" study_key: "d12181617" journal: "Osteoporos Int" year: 2002 pmid: "12181617" doi: "10.1007/s001980200081" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d12181617 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Osteoporos Int | | Year | 2002 | | PMID | [12181617](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12181617/) | | DOI | [10.1007/s001980200081](https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980200081) | | Study key | d12181617 | ## 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? ## Hypothesis 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. ## Methods 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. ## Results 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. ## Conclusion 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. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Each 1 SD reduction in broadband ultrasonic attenuation was associated with a 16% increase in mortality ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Heel Ultrasound Bone Scanner | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study** Osteoporos Int 2002 · [PMID 12181617](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12181617/) · [DOI 10.1007/s001980200081](https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980200081) > Each 1 SD reduction in broadband ultrasonic attenuation was associated with a 16% increase in mortality ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.html","name":"Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study","description":"Lower quantitative ultrasound (QUS) readings are linked to a higher risk of death in older women, independent of other health factors.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.html#study","name":"Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study","headline":"Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study","datePublished":"2002","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Osteoporos Int"},"identifier":"PMID:12181617","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12181617/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980200081","abstract":"Lower quantitative ultrasound (QUS) readings are linked to a higher risk of death in older women, independent of other health factors."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Evidence: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s154.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).