Biochemical predictors of bone mineral density and fracture susceptibility : results from a Maltese study

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a multifactorial skeletal disease characterised by low bone mass and micro architectural deterioration, leading to increased fracture susceptibility [1,2]. In Malta, 20% of women and 6% of men aged 50 years and older are estimated to be affected with steoporosis [3]. Fracture is the most significant clinical consequence of osteoporosis, with the most common, debilitating, and costly fractures being those of the spine, hip and wrist [1]. A number of environmental and genetic risk factors are known to affect bone mineral density (BMD), which in turn impacts fracture outcome [4,5]. Furthermore, other parameters reflecting calcium homeostasis, matrix mineralisation, and bone formation can also be targeted and measured in blood. Levels of serum calcium, serum albumin, and total serum alkaline phosphatase (sALP) are suggested as potential indicative markers of osteoporosis and/or fracture susceptibility, and increased frailty [5,6].