Comparison of Bone Turnover Markers on Osteoporosis in Pre and Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Osteoporosis, a major public health problem, is becoming increasingly prevalent with the aging of theworld population. Rapid bone loss occurs in postmenopausal women due to hormonal factors whichlead to increased risk of fractures. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism are used to assess skeletalturnover. Bone formation markers (Total Calcium, Ionised calcium,Alkaline phosphatase), and boneresorption markers (Urinary Hydroxyproline) were analysed in pre and post menopausal women. A crosssectional study of 200pre- and post menopausal women was carried out at Sree Balaji Medical Collegeand Hospital,chennai. Bone formation markers (Total Calcium, Ionised calcium, Alkaline phosphatase),and bone resorption markers (Urinary Hydroxyproline) were analysed in pre and post menopausal women.Bone formation markers, Total and Ionised calcium were significantly decreased (p<0.001) and Alkalinephosphatase was significantly increased (p<0.001) in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausalwomen. Bone resorption markers, Urinary hydroxyproline excretion was significantly increased (p<0.001)in postmenopausal women. The results from this study suggests that simple, easy, common biochemicalmarkers such as age, years after menopause,urinary hydroxyproline, total serum ALP, total serum calciumand ionized calcium could be used as indicators of increased bone turnover, to enable early intervention soas to minimize fracture due to osteoporotic changes.