Bone Tissue in Down Syndrome Patients Deteriorates Following Aging: A Study Based on Bone Ultrasound Analysis

Background Osteoporosis represents one of the main factors contributing to premature morbidity in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) characterized by muscle hypotonia. The purpose of this study was to assess the bone ultrasound properties in a cohort of patients with DS with reference to age and body tonicity. Materials and methods One hundred and ninety-three patients with DS and 246 healthy individuals participated in this study. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound values were measured by an Achilles Lunar Insight device. Stabilometric performances were obtained from a force platform. The participants were divided into four age groups (with mean ages 10.8 years, 15.2 years, 20.5 years, and 33.4 years) using a decision tree procedure. Results Patients with DS displayed lower BUA than controls at the two older age groups. Stabilometric performances expressed by patients with DS were independent of age, whereas those displayed by the controls showed an improvement in stability and tonicity with age. All these performances were significantly higher in controls. BUA presented a negative correlation with stabilometric values (p < 0.05), except for area (p = 0.103). Conclusion This study showed that BUA is sufficiently sensitive to highlight the bone degradation that occurs at the end of adolescence and in adulthood in individuals with DS. In addition, BUA and stabilometric performances were able to distinguish DS patients from controls in the two older age groups, indicating that bone tissue and postural control of DS patients deteriorate with aging.