Bone biochemical markers and bone mineral density among osteoporosis patients who were seen in a pain clinic

Osteoporosis is a common and debilitating disease affecting all bones. Examination of the serum concentration of bone biochemical markers is useful to distinguish the type of osteoporosis and to determine the optimal therapy for each patient. In the present study, four serum markers of bone formation (bone Gla protein; BGP, intact bone Gla protein; iBGP, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase; BAP, carboxy-terminal peptide of type I procollagen; PICP) and a plasma marker of bone resorption (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase; TRAP) were measured in 165 female patients who visited our pain clinic complaining of back and/or leg pain, and who were suspected of having osteoporosis (Japanese osteoporosis criteria 11 or 111) on standard skeletal radiograph. No significant correlation was observed between bone biochemical markers and mineral density, or between biochemical markers and age. The amount of BGP and iBGP determined in patients older than 70 was significantly higher than in patients younger than 70 (p < 0.05). The results show that bone turnover evaluated by biochemical markers is not necessarily age dependent. Therapy for osteoporosis in elderly women should be tailored for each case on the basis of the values of biochemical markers.