Title:Serum Biochemical Factors as Indicators of Osteoporosis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Volume: 5
Author(s): Habib Yaribeygi*, Nooshin Bayat, Gholamhosein Alishiri, Mina Maleki, Tannaz Jamialahmadi and Amirhossein Sahebkar*
Affiliation:
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Keywords:
Osteoporosis, Vitamin D3, Bone marrow density, Femur, Spine, Serum albumin, Kruskal-Wallis test.
Abstract:
Introduction:
Osteoporosis is a bone condition that disrupts bone structure, reduces its strength, and increases the risk of fractures. While osteoporosis is
commonly recognized as a disorder affecting the elderly, it can also develop in younger adults and be accompanied by other disorders. Screening
individuals and diagnosing those at higher risk of osteoporosis early may significantly reduce the likelihood of complications and associated costs.
Objective:
Serum biochemical factors are rather easily measured and accessible, making them valuable as predictive indicators for the prognosis and early
diagnosis of osteoporosis. However, there is not enough evidence about possible relationships between these factors and osteoporosis in different
bones.
Methods:
In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we analyzed osteoporotic indices, including bone marrow density (BMD), T-score, Z-score, and
standardized BMD, in a large population of individuals at risk of osteoporosis. We then investigated potential relationships between biochemical
values and osteoporosis indices in the evaluated subjects. The collected data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation
coefficient methods.
Results:
A total of 1104 patients were enrolled, with 87.7% being female and 12.3% male. The mean age of the patients was 56.48 ± 11.62 ( ± SE) years.
Among them, 251 patients had normal bone density, while 556 patients had osteopenia, and 270 patients had osteoporosis. The Kruskal-Wallis
analysis demonstrated that serum levels of Calcium (p=0.014), Phosphorus (p =0.002), and Vitamin D3 (p =0.045) were positively associated with
the risk of osteoporosis, whereas serum albumin (p =0.005) and Alkaline phosphatase (p =0.002) levels were negatively associated. Additionally,
the Spearman correlation coefficient showed a negative association between hemoglobin levels and BMD in both the spine (p =0.046) and femur (p
=0.049).
Conclusion:
Serum levels of biochemical factors may serve as primary predictive markers for the early diagnosis of individuals at higher risk of osteoporosis
and bone fractures. In addition to factors involved in calcium homeostasis, serum levels of albumin and hemoglobin are also associated with BMD
scores and the development of osteoporosis.
