Abstract
The population aging has increased the number of elderly and, consequently, the prevalence of diseases such as osteoporosis, which causes fractures. The ultrasonometry of calcaneus (USO) would be a good alternative to evaluate fracture risks, since it is cheaper, easier to measure and does not expose individuals to radiation. In this study we estimated the prevalence of different standard deviation groups determined by the USO (DP<-1, DP<-1<2-2.5 and DP-<2.5) and their associations with body mass index (BMI) and age in elderly women in the community of Manaus, state of Amazonas, Brazil. The study was retrospective, observational, and descriptive, in a non-probabilistic sample of community of the Parque Municipal do Idoso, in 997 women who did the USO exam and were classified in three groups: SD<-2.5, SD >-1<-2.5 DP and SD <-1. The prevalence of SD groups USO determined was: DP<-2.5 = 23.0% (229), DP<-1<2.5 = 53.2% (530) and DP<-2.5 = 23.6% (238). Women with DP<-2.5 presented significantly lower BMI values and also higher age factor (p=0,007). Results suggested association among USO, BMI and age, as well as studies previously published in literature. The study corroborates the possible USO application in epidemiological surveys.
demographic aging; prevalence; osteoporosis; evaluation studies; ultrasonography; calcaneus; body mass index; aged; women; Manaus-AM
