title: [Biochemical bone markers and bone mass study in recently postmenopausal women without osteoporosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To date, there have not been performed enough studies in Spain to analyze the usefulness of biochemical bone markers in postmenopausal and non-osteoporotic women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied several groups of women, ages between 17 and 30 years, 30-45 years, premenopausal and recently postmenopausal in order to know the reference values of some biochemical bone markers along 2 years in premenopausal and postmenopausal women (postmenopausal divided in 2 groups: those under treatment with ordinary hormonal replacement therapy [HRT], and those without it).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Values of biochemical bone markers were higher in postmenopausal and in 17-30 years group than in premenopausal and 30-45 years group (p < 0.05). Absolute values and the change in bone markers (%) were higher in postmenopausal and non-osteoporotic women under HRT than in those without HRT (% change: OC, 35,72 vs 4.45 [p < 0.01]; ALPo, 13,13 vs 27.06 [p < 0.01]; NTx, 42.74 vs 10.93 [p < 0.01]; fDPD, 21.07 vs 28.49 [p < 0.05]; betaCrossLaps, 50,17 vs 23.04 [p < 0.01]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have defined reference values in our region and have proved that biochemical bone markers (absolute values and their change from the basal value) represent a useful tool in monitoring hormonal replacement therapy in recently postmenopausal and non-osteoporotic women.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain. jaferrrerca@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferrer Cañabate
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tovar Zapata
authors.forename: Josefa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tortosa Oltra
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martínez Hernández
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015519:Bone Density; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers