Objective To investigate the association between calcaneal quantitative ultrasound parameters (QUS) with metabolic syndrome (MS) in adults of Hebei province. Methods Adults aged 20-80 years old were selected for questionnaire survey, physical examination and blood biochemical testing through multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Calcaneal QUS was measured at the right foot by experienced operators with a Pegaus ultrasound equipment. Broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) were recorded. Results Among the 6491 adults (2426 males, 3780 females), with an average age of 48.02±13.49 years old, the prevalence of MS was 20.27%. Spearman correlation analysis found that, in males, BUA levels were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and triglycerides (TG), and negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C). SOS levels were positively correlated with BMI, but were negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose (FPG) and TG (both P<0.05). In females, BUA level was positively correlated with BMI and TG, but negatively correlated with SBP, DBP, and HDL-C. SOS level was negatively correlated with SBP, DBP, FPG, and TG (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the risk of MS increased with BUA quantile levels after adjusting for age, ethnicity, education level, smoking and drinking etc, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.53 times (95% CI=1.12-2.08) in Q4 group compared to that in Q1 group in males. There was no correlation between the risk of MS and SOS level. In females, the risk of MS increased with BUA quantile levels with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.56, 1.66, and 1.74 times in Q2, Q3, and Q4 group compared to those in Q1 group, respectively, and the risk of MS in Q4 group of SOS level was 1.35 (95% CI=1.01-1.81) compared to that in Q1 group. Conclusion QUS is closely related to MS. Although MS is not an important risk factor for osteoporosis currently, the reverse relationship between SBP, DBP, FPG, HDL and QUS parameters suggests the necessity of improving metabolism to promote bone health. |