Serum osteocalcin: A potential biomarker for primary osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a silent killer usually asymptomatic and noticed only after a fracture. Women irrespective of their origin and social strata show an accelerated phase of bone loss, for about 10 yrs after the cessation of ovarian function due to hormonal imbalance. Until now for the diagnosis of osteoporosis Bone mineral density (BMD) and DEXA was used, which is costly hence bone turns over markers have come to vogue in suggesting the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Objectives of the Study: To assess the potentiality of serum osteocalcin as a diagnostic tool for osteoporosis in post menopausal women and thus overcome the risk of fractures. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 50 apparently healthy pre menopausal women and 50 postmenopausal women with immediate fractures sustained as a result of trivial trauma. Results: The mean serum osteocalcin level was (2.63 ± 1.76) in the post menopausal women with fractures as compared to the pre menopausal women (5.55 ± 2.92) which was statistically significant. (p value Conclusion: Osteocalcin is a highly sensitive bone formation marker and can be used as a diagnostic or screening tool in post menopausal women for Osteoporosis. The decreased serum osteocalcin levels after menopause could hence predict and prevent the risk of fractures. Keywords: Osteocalcin, Pre-menopausal women, Postmenopausal women with fractures, Calcium, Phosphorous, Alkaline phosphatase, Total protein, Albumin and osteoporosis.