title: Serum Osteocalcin as a Diagnostic Biomarker for Primary Osteoporosis in Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis, a major health problem in elderly population, especially in post-menopausal females, is diagnosed basically on clinical suspicion and bone mineral density measurement. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan though a gold standard of diagnosis becomes unfit for screening purpose due to its prohibitive cost, unportability and lack of availability of machine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the diagnostic potential of serum osteocalcin levels in primary osteoporosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a case-control study, 82 post-menopausal females, between 40-70 years, were subjected to measurements of bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin levels. Based on the results of DEXA scan they were divided into two: a) Control group and B) Case group. Case group was further subdivided as Osteopenia and Osteoporosis depending on their t-scores. Correlation between different BMD grades and the levels of serum osteocalcin were analysed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A negative correlation was found between serum osteocalcin levels and BMD grading. Significant association of age and years since menopause (YSM) was found with serum osteocalcin levels and BMD. No association of BMI and serum osteocalcin was observed with BMD. Statistically significant difference between values of serum osteocalcin in postmenopausal non-osteoporotic women, post-menopausal women with low bone mass (osteopenia) and post-menopausal women with osteoporosis were seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum osteocalcin level measurement can be used for screening purpose in post-menopausal patients. Subjects can be further assessed by DEXA scan to, if indicated.
authors.affiliation: Professor & Head, Department of Orthopaedics, Era's Lucknow Medical College , Lucknow, India .
authors.forename: Sudhir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, King George's Medical University , Lucknow, India .
authors.forename: Dharmendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Junior Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, Era's Lucknow Medical College , Lucknow, India .
authors.forename: Atil Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lal
keywords: BMD; DEXA Scan; Osteoarthritis