Abstract
We have measured serum osteocalcin (OC) by radioimmunoassay in normal children, adults and patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in childhood. And we have compared its concentration to the severity of osteoporosis evaluated by Jikei Medical College Classification.
As the age increased up to 14 years, serum OC increased. However, no significant correlation with age was noted (r=0.244). In the controls serum OC was higher in children (11.00±2.10 ng/ml) than in adults (5.35±1.47 ng/ml) (p<0.005).
Serum OC showed a cosiderable variation among patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Serum OC was significantly decreased in the patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (9.09±3.32 ng/ml, vs. 11.00±2.10 ng/ml in age matched controls, p<0.02). Our data suggest that measurement of serum OC at regular intervals in patients requiring glucocorticoid therapy, might be useful to assess the early phase of osteoporosis and the therapeutic effects of drugs administered to osteoporosis.
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Niimi, H., Nishioka, T., Kurayama, H. et al. Serum osteocalcin in normal children and children with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. J Bone Miner Metab 6, 38–42 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02378738
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02378738