title: Bone turnover markers for early detection of fracture healing disturbances: A review of the scientific literature.
abstract: Imaging techniques are the standard method for assessment of fracture healing processes. However, these methods are perhaps not entirely reliable for early detection of complications, the most frequent of these being delayed union and non-union. A prompt diagnosis of such disorders could prevent prolonged patient distress and disability. Efforts should be directed towards the development of new technologies for improving accuracy in diagnosing complications following bone fractures. The variation in the levels of bone turnover markers (BTMs) have been assessed with regard to there ability to predict impaired fracture healing at an early stage, nevertheless the conclusions of some studies are not consensual. In this article the authors have revised the potential of BTMs as early predictors of prognosis in adult patients presenting traumatic bone fractures but who did not suffer from osteopenia or postmenopausal osteoporosis. The available information from the different studies performed in this field was systematized in order to highlight the most promising BTMs for the assessment of fracture healing outcome.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Veterinárias, Escola das Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cristina P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Veterinárias, Escola das Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinics Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lopez-Peña
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Veterinárias, Escola das Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Camassa
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lourenço
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Fernando M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Judas
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Engenharia de Polímeros, Universidade do Minho, Barco GMR, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuela E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Engenharia de Polímeros, Universidade do Minho, Barco GMR, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers