title: Osteoprotegerin as a marker of atherosclerosis: a systematic update.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Osteoprotegerin (OPG) may be involved in development of atherosclerosis. To evaluate plasma concentrations of OPG in individuals with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) a systematic literature review was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies investigating OPG concentrations in stable CAD, ACS, PAD, and CBVD were extracted from PubMed and the Cochrane Library, retrieving 280 articles. Nonrelevant articles were excluded and after thorough evaluation, and only 14 studies with clearly defined cohorts qualified for this review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 11 studies, OPG concentrations were elevated. Severity of atherosclerosis was significantly associated with higher OPG concentrations compared to healthy controls. No association between PAD and OPG concentrations was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OPG concentrations are associated with the presence and severity of stable CAD, ACS, and CBVD. Larger studies are needed to reach conclusions concerning OPG concentrations in PAD. Studies addressing a putative role for OPG in suspected CAD and CBVD are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. susanne.hosbond@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
authors.forename: Susanne Elisabeth
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Hosbond
authors.forename: Tina Svenstrup
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.forename: Axel Cosmus Pyndt
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Diederichsen
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nybo
authors.forename: Lars Melholt
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mickley
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D053244:Osteoprotegerin