ASSESSMENT OF BONE TURNOVER IN POST-MENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS BY MEASUREMENT OF SERUM BONE GLA-PROTEIN

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 102  (4) , 470-476
Abstract
Controversy persists regarding the abnormality of bone turnover responsible for bone loss in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Serum bone Gla-protein (BGP), a specific marker for bone turnover, was measured in 62 untreated patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Results were compared with those in 142 normal women and were expressed as standard deviations from the age-adjusted predicted mean (Z score). Serum BGP was increased (+ 0.48 SD, P = 0.002) in the osteoporotic patients; 9.7% of patients were > 2 SD above but none were > 2 SD below the normal mean. When data from normal postmenopausal women (ages 51 to 75 years) and the osteoporotic patients were merged, significant negative correlation existed (r = -0.36, P < 0.001) between serum BGP and bone density of the lumbar spine assessed by dual photon absorptiometry. Serum alkaline phosphatase, a less specific marker for bone formation, was also increased (+0.96 SD, P < 0.001) in the osteoporotic patients. Overall bone turnover apparently is increased in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and the concept that an absolute decrease in bone formation is the major cause of the bone loss was not supported.