title: Biochemical markers to survey bone turnover.
abstract: Molecular markers of bone turnover have gained increasing relevance in the evaluation of patients with metabolic bone diseases. Their clinical applications include the assessment of future osteoporotic fracture risk, complementation of bone density measurements, diagnosis of certain metabolic osteopathies, therapeutic decision making, and monitoring of therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. One should be aware, however, that the results from large epidemiologic or clinical trials are sometimes difficult to translate into the everyday clinical situation. The individual patient often has more than one disease that might affect either bone turnover or the handling of the parameters mentioned (or both). Analytic and biologic variability of bone markers can be significant and also needs to be considered when using these indices. In the scientific setting, conventional and new markers of bone turnover can help to elucidate formerly unknown mechanisms and pathways. Because the development of ever more specific and sensitive markers of bone metabolism is progressing rapidly, we are likely to witness new insights into the pathophysiology of bone diseases in the near future.
authors: Department of Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. henning-woitge@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors: H W
authors: HW
authors: Woitge
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Seibel
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015519:Bone Density; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D008297:Male; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000378:metabolism; D053495:Osteopontin; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C546871:IBSP protein, human; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; C506895:SPP1 protein, human; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D015675:Osteocalcin; D053495:Osteopontin; D003094:Collagen