DEOXYPYRIDINOLINE (DPD), A MARKER OF BONE RESORPTION WHICH PREDICTS OSTEOPOROSIS

Deoxypyridinoline

Abstract

With the improvements in medical facilities, the life expectancy of ladies has crossed fifty years in Pakistan.  Because of this, problems related to menopause and senility are increasing.  A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the incidence of osteoporosis in Pakistani postmenopausal women residing at Rawalpindi.  This was done by estimation of deoxypyridinoline (DPD), a marker of bone resorption, for its potential for early diagnosis; so that the patients are benefited by early treatment before the disease is severe and crippling.  Seventy postmenopausal women having intact ovaries were selected randomly from the general public in the locality. Control group consisted of thirty healthy premenopausal women.  The mean urinary DPD level in premenopausal ladies i.e Controls was (5.8 nmol/mmol of creatinine), while in postmenopausal women the mean DPD level was significantly higher (27.4 nmol / mmol of creatinine).  The very high loser ladies (Urinary DPD level > 30 nmol / mmol of creatinine) were regarded to have osteoporosis.  X-ray of the wrist remained a poor diagnostic marker as it was positive in only 15% of postmenopausal subjects. The frequency of osteoporosis was 13.5% in ladies between 50-59 years, while in ladies between 60 – 69 years the frequency was 78 % and 100% in ladies over 70 years.  These figures are quite alarming.