Serum type I collagen C telopeptide versus dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in postmenopausal osteoporotic women

Abstract EN

Aim of Work: To determine the value of serum type I collagen C telopeptide (ICTP) (a bone resorbing marker) as a predictor of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

This might throw more light on non-invasive techniques to measure bone turnover, thus optimizing the diagnostic procedures in a trial to combat osteoporosis and its complications.

Materials & Methods: The study was conducted on 45 postmenopausal females, 30 with osteoporotic and 15 healthy ones.

All participants were subjected to the following laboratory investigations: CBC, ESR, renal functions, serum Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase and measurement of ICTP using a radioimmunoassay technique.

In addition, evaluation of bone density using Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed.

Results: ICTP levels were increased in the osteoporotic group as compared to the control group, but this difference was statistically insignificant.

In the osteoporosis group, there was no significant correlation of ICTP with age, weight, height nor with bone density of forearm, femur or lumbar spine.

Conclusion: DEXA still offers, until now, the most accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis with a low radiation exposure and good precision.

Thus it can be used for monitoring changes in bone density and assessing treatment.

ICTP as a bone resorption marker may be of value for the detection of some cases of osteoporosis due to increased bone loss.

In conjunction with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), which gives an accurate assessment of bone density, ICTP may provide a non-invasive overall assessment of bone turnover state, which may be of value for assessment of fracture risk and for the follow up of various therapeutic strategies.