RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Serum osteocalcin concentrations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP 654
OP 657
DO 10.1136/ard.48.8.654
VO 48
IS 8
A1 P Pietschmann
A1 K P Machold
A1 W Wolosczuk
A1 J S Smolen
YR 1989
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/48/8/654.abstract
AB Osteocalcin is a non-collagenous bone matrix protein which is released into the circulation and can be measured by radioimmunoassay. Recent studies indicate that serum osteocalcin concentrations are a marker of bone formation. Because bone demineralisation is a common finding in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the serum osteocalcin concentrations and, in addition, the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin were measured in 29 patients with RA and in 30 control subjects. Whereas serum osteocalcin concentrations were similar in patients with RA and in control subjects, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were significantly decreased in patients with RA. Serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin in patients with RA and in control subjects were not statistically different. The normal osteocalcin concentrations in patients with RA suggest a normal rate of bone formation in these patients.