Comment
The combination of quantitative ultrasound scanning
and enquiry about risk factors detected more cases of
osteoporosis and had slightly better predictive values
than risk factors alone. Ultrasound alone had much
better specificity than risk factors alone.However, good
clinical practice requires an overall assessment of risk
for osteoporosis rather than ultrasound scanning as a
stand alone procedure. Ultrasound scanning is a
simple, quick, non-ionising, portable, and inexpensive
investigation. It provides general practitioners with an
opportunity to improve on the current method of
identification of risk of osteoporosis and selection for
DXA and is an ideal test for practice nurses to perform
in a nurse led osteoporosis clinic. Further evaluation of
quantitative ultrasound scanning and assessment of its
cost effectiveness are warranted