Effect of estrogen replacement therapy on speed of sound at multiple skeletal sites

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on postmenopausal bone loss by multi-site ultrasound measurement. Methods: A cross-sectional comparison of postmenopausal women, ERT users and non-users. The two study groups were enrolled for the reference database collection for the Sunlight Omnisense™ (Omnisense) and were matched by years since menopause. Speed of sound (SOS) was measured at the distal radius (RAD), mid-shaft tibia (TIB), fifth metatarsus (MTR) and proximal phalanx (PLX). Results: 143 ERT users for 5.2±3.6 years were compared with 139 ERT non-users (age: 57.0±5.3 and 57.5±5.5, respectively). Both groups were 7.1±5.0 years since menopause. SOS, expressed in T-score units, was higher at the RAD in ERT users as compared to ERT non-users (−0.55±1.30 and −1.36±1.60, respectively, P