Markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density in men over 60 years of age

The aim of the study was to determine correlations between markers of bone turnover and age in a group of men over 60 years old. The correlations between markers and values of bone mineral density (BMD) and T-score were also measured. Eighty-four community dwelling men over 60 years of age from Poznan were selected for the study. Hip bone mineral density, T-score and markers of bone turnover: osteocalcin (OC) and C-terminal type I collagen (ICTP) were calculated. ICTP was found to be correlated with age in the group of men, and with BMD of men from an older group (over 70 years old). ICTP predicts changes connected with age in bone turnover in elderly men better than osteocalcin. The use of markers of bone turnover should be treated as a medical inspection method in osteoporosis treatment. However, ICTP seems to be a more useful marker in diagnosing changes in bone turnover during rehabilitation or treatment.