Reference value for urinary deoxypyridinoline as a specific marker for measuring bone resorption in Thais

In the next century, the increasing number of elderly and rising healthcare costs will bring with it metabolic bone problems, particularly osteoporosis. Deoxypyridinoline: Dpd in urine is a sensitive and specific marker for screening and monitoring of bone resorption in a variety of diseases affecting bone turnover and in risk groups especially in the postmenopause. The reference value among aging (21-60 years) of a healthy well defined group was studied by collecting the urine between 700-1000 hours and using the ELISA technique to determine the level of Dpd. The reference value of Dpd in 113 males and 298 females 1.3-6.5 and 1.5-6.9 nm Dpd/nm Creatinine respectively. The level of Dpd in females was significantly higher than in males at p < 0.028. However, the average value of deoxypyridinoline in postmenopause was higher than premenopause but not different at p = 0.05. There are many factors which influence the results so the overall reference value is only a guideline for screening in bone resorption.