--- title: "Evidence: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound" description: "Lower heel bone density, as measured by ultrasound, is linked to a higher risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in older women, even…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s154.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s154.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s154.html" type: "study" study_key: "s154" journal: "Osteoporos Int" year: 2022 pmid: "35147712" doi: "10.1007/s00198-022-06317-x" 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" --- # Evidence: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s154.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s154 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Osteoporos Int | | Year | 2022 | | PMID | [35147712](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35147712/) | | DOI | [10.1007/s00198-022-06317-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-022-06317-x) | | Study key | s154 | ## Takeaway Lower heel bone density, as measured by ultrasound, is linked to a higher risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in older women, even when accounting for other risk factors. ## The question Is calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) associated with 15-year all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in older women? ## Hypothesis The study aims to investigate the association between calcaneal QUS measurements and 15-year all-cause and CVD mortality in older women. ## Methods This prospective study followed 1404 older women (mean age 75.2 years) from the Calcium Intake Fracture Outcome study (CAIFOS) for 15 years. Calcaneal bone was measured at baseline in 1998 using QUS. All-cause and CVD mortality were ascertained using linked data from the Western Australia data linkage system. ## Results Over 15 years, 584 women died, with 223 deaths attributed to CVD. For every standard deviation reduction in broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), the relative hazard for all-cause mortality increased by 1.15 (multivariable-adjusted HR) and for CVD mortality by 1.20 (multivariable-adjusted HR), independent of cardiovascular risk factors. These associations remained significant even when hip BMD was included in the model, with all-cause mortality HR 1.19 and CVD mortality HR 1.28. ## Conclusion Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in older women, independently of bone mineral density and established cardiovascular disease risk factors. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > calcaneal ultrasound measures were associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality ## Increased Relative Hazard for Mortality per SD Reduction in BUA | Measure | Relative Hazard (HR) | | --- | --- | | All-cause mortality (adjusted) | 1.15 | | CVD mortality (adjusted) | 1.2 | | All-cause mortality (adjusted + hip BMD) | 1.19 | | CVD mortality (adjusted + hip BMD) | 1.28 | *For every standard deviation reduction in broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), the relative hazard for all-cause and CVD mortality increased, both with and without adjusting for hip BMD.* ## 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. **Evidence: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound** Osteoporos Int 2022 · [PMID 35147712](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35147712/) · [DOI 10.1007/s00198-022-06317-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-022-06317-x) > calcaneal ultrasound measures were associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s154.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s154.html","name":"Evidence: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound","description":"Lower heel bone density, as measured by ultrasound, is linked to a higher risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in older women, even…","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/s154.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":"Evidence: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s154.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s154.html#study","name":"Evidence: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound","headline":"Evidence: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Osteoporos Int"},"identifier":"PMID:35147712","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35147712/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-022-06317-x","abstract":"Lower heel bone density, as measured by ultrasound, is linked to a higher risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in older women, even when accounting for other risk factors."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12181617.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).